It was no ordinary bag that Hollywood actress Cameron Diaz carried with her to Peru last Sunday. She was heavily criticized by Peruvians for her political insensitivity.
For Peruvians, that bag was a painful reminder of their struggles under communism. The olive green bag was emblazoned with a red star and a Maoist slogan “Serve The People” written in Chinese. It was one of the political slogans of Chinese communist leader, Mao Zedong. Diaz purchased the bag in China. (See photo of controversial bag below.)
Through Associated Press, Diaz apologized to the Peruvians.
I sincerely apologize to anyone I may have inadvertently offended. The bag was a purchase I made as a tourist in China and I did not realize the potentially hurtful nature of the slogan printed on it. I’m sorry for any people’s pain and suffering and it was certainly never my intention to reopen what I now know is a painful wound in this country’s history.
Maoism entered Peru in the 60s through university professor, Abimael Guzman. His teachings became the foundation of militant Maoist doctrine. Their group was called Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso). Known for their brutality and violence toward peasants, public officials and citizens, Shining Path was regarded as a foreign terrorist group by the United States, Canada and the European Union.
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