FOR many Hollywood celebrities, political causes have always been akin to badges of honour. Some like Cameron Diaz have been quite prescient in carving out positions. The actress became a vocal critic of George W. Bush long before he was elected president in 2000 and embarked on a course that alienated much of America and the world.
During a recent trip through Peru, however, Diaz discovered the perils of desecrating — even unintentionally — the past. While visiting the historical Machu Picchu site, the star happened to carry along a bag she had purchased in China that featured a political slogan deemed offensive by local people.The green bag with a red star and the words “serve the people” printed in Chinese brought back memories of Peru’s war against the Shining Path Maoist rebels in the 1980s and 90s, which claimed up to 69,000 lives. Diaz apologised, saying she did not realise the slogan’s “potentially hurtful nature”.
In its heyday, the Shining Path was the most formidable rebel movement in Latin America. It controlled large areas of the countryside and also mounted attacks on the capital, Lima. This prompted fears at home and abroad of a full rebel takeover.
The violence began to wane after Shining Path leader Abimael Guzman was captured in 1992. After he called for a ceasefire, the organisation saw it membership plummet. By 1994, about 6,000 guerrillas had surrendered under a state amnesty programme.
Another guerrilla leader subsequently tried to revive the movement, but few adherents were energised. Following another government crackdown in 2004, the Shining Path lost the power to undermine the Peruvian state. The scars of the conflict endure in several ways.
How far Diaz’s apology for an ostensibly honest mistake goes towards assuaging Peruvians is something those most offended can best judge. For the rest of us, the episode underscores the care celebrities – even those with profoundly outspoken views – must take to respect the political sensitivities of others.
