Something (Mao slogan) about Cameron DIAZ triggers media frenzy in Peru

Probably the CIA furnished the talking points to the AP.


*******QUOTE*******

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/06/23/arts/LA-A-E-CEL-Peru-Cameron-Diaz.php

Cameron Diaz's bag emblazoned with Maoist slogan raises eyebrows in Peru

.... While exploring the Inca city of Machu Picchu high in Peru's Andes, Diaz wore over her shoulder an olive green messenger bag emblazoned with a red star and the words "Serve the People" printed in Chinese on the flap, perhaps Chinese Communist leader Mao's most famous political slogan.

While the bags are marketed as trendy fashion accessories in some world capitals, the phrase has particular resonance in Peru, where the Maoist Shining Path insurgency brought Peru to edge of chaos in the 1980s and early 1990s with a campaign of massacres, assassinations and bombings.

Nearly 70,000 people were killed during the insurgency.

A prominent Peruvian human rights activist said the star of "There's Something About Mary" should have been a little more aware of local sensitivities when picking her accessories.

"It alludes to a concept that did so much damage to Peru, that brought about so many victims," said Pablo Rojas about the bag's slogan. "I don't think she should have used that bag where the followers of that ideology" did so much damage.

********UNQUOTE*******

...what the Chinese characters on he shoulder bag says, and even if she does, does she know the history of a Mao slogan? Doubt it.

I often wonder if anyone who wears a shirt with Chinese or Japanese writing on them "know" what they say or mean. I doubt they do either.

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She looked very fresh-faced and happy. Floppy hat. The offending (to some) bag was LONG-slung with the top of the bag starting down at her waist. Purple scarf.

The Univision co-anchors basically read the story as written in the link here, no new details about her reaction, then added their closing chatter, "One has to be ver-ry careful about sensibilities." "You're so right on that."

http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070622/482/be6057237857409d86a46d54d5006062




AP - Fri Jun 22, 7:52 PM ET
US actress Cameron Diaz, right, takes pictures of press photographers as Sol Guy, an MTV Canada host, behind left, and guide Freddy Quispe stand with her during their tour of the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu near Cuzco, Peru,