What a list: E.T, The Colour Purple, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Jaws, Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan. These are just some of the films Steven Spielberg has produced and directed. Not a bad resume, and what a catch for the Chinese government to get Spielberg as an ambassador for the Beijing Olympics. This week Mr. Spielberg backed out of this role, citing China's support of the bad guys in Sudan. China supplies arms for oil. Good for Spielberg to act according to his conscience. Nine Nobel Peace Prize laureates, including former bishop Desmond Tutu, have been sounding this concern, but Spielberg's withdrawal is a much bigger embarrassment for the Chinese. Here's the thing. China has a lousy human rights record at home. Summary executions still occur regularly. Thousands of websites and blogs spring up, only to be silenced. Somewhere between two and five million people will be displaced for the Yangtze dam project. The air in Chinese cities is filthy and there is great concern that Beijing will be a health hazard to athletes.
So, why are the Olympics being held in China in the first place? Why didn't the international community express greater concern a few years ago when the decision was made?
I'm glad that Steven Spielberg is making the right choice, one which calls for justice. The theme of justice is essential to his Jewish background and for those of us who are Christians. In China justice should begin at home.
No comments:
Post a Comment