2008 Woodie Awards
Celebrity boycotts highlight Chinese rights abuses
Elizabeth Miller
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: OpEd Page
Steven Spielberg seems to always set the standard in the film industry. As of this month, he's also setting the standard for human rights activism. Spielberg was scheduled to be an adviser for the film projects for the summer 2008 Olympic ceremonies in Beijing, but he resigned his position on the moral grounds that China was perpetuating the blood spill in the Darfur region of Sudan and he simply couldn't support its endeavors.
"I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue with business as usual," Spielberg said in a statement. "At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies but doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur." China is infamously known as an economic propellant for the genocide in Sudan. As a country, it buys much of Sudan's oil and provides many of the weapons used in the violence.
Spielberg's resignation was not without previous warning. Last spring he wrote a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao urging greater efforts in Darfur. When he felt that progress was not being made, he put his concerns into action. Spielberg's opt to withdraw from his advising position in the Olympics was a bold and risky decision that has warranted respect, as well as criticism.
Naturally, Chinese officials weren't too happy. They made the convincing argument that the Olympics should be about sports, not politics. This is true. For over a century the Olympics have been about passion, teamwork and the physical achievement of the human body. Maybe China is right-maybe we shouldn't mix the Olympics and the politics of Darfur. Then again, if I was a communist country that neglected human rights and propelled the bloodshed in Sudan, I'd probably make that argument, too. Of course China wouldn't want there to be social attention to the politics of Sudan. Thanks to Spielberg, now the pressure is on to face the realities of China's irresponsibility.
"I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue with business as usual," Spielberg said in a statement. "At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies but doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur." China is infamously known as an economic propellant for the genocide in Sudan. As a country, it buys much of Sudan's oil and provides many of the weapons used in the violence.
Spielberg's resignation was not without previous warning. Last spring he wrote a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao urging greater efforts in Darfur. When he felt that progress was not being made, he put his concerns into action. Spielberg's opt to withdraw from his advising position in the Olympics was a bold and risky decision that has warranted respect, as well as criticism.
Naturally, Chinese officials weren't too happy. They made the convincing argument that the Olympics should be about sports, not politics. This is true. For over a century the Olympics have been about passion, teamwork and the physical achievement of the human body. Maybe China is right-maybe we shouldn't mix the Olympics and the politics of Darfur. Then again, if I was a communist country that neglected human rights and propelled the bloodshed in Sudan, I'd probably make that argument, too. Of course China wouldn't want there to be social attention to the politics of Sudan. Thanks to Spielberg, now the pressure is on to face the realities of China's irresponsibility.
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