On February 12, 2008, Oscar-winning film director Steven Spielberg resigned as artistic adviser to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games over China's failure to act against the genocide in Darfur. In a statement, he said, "I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue business as usual."
In April 2007, Spielberg wrote a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao to protest China's involvement with the Sudanese government over the crisis in Darfur. Spielberg asked to meet with Hu, but the president failed to respond, and Spielberg continued “business as usual.” He continued his work on the Olympics as China blocked the U.N. Security Council from making any real inroads to protecting the people of Darfur. He even continued business as usual as China took the “teeth” out of Security Council resolution 1769 of July 31, 2007, which created a hybrid U.N.-African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur. [China voted for the resolution, but only after stripping it of a mandate to disarm combatants. China also refused to approve any sanctions measure in the inevitable event of Khartoum’s noncompliance with its terms.]
Some have asked why he waited so long to resign from the post, while others have questioned his motivation. Still others believe that his action will be completely ineffectual in ending the genocide in Darfur. Many even question if pressuring China will work at all.
His detractors may be right: resigning his post may not make a difference. BUT it is a step, and an important step.
The Chinese need to understand that unless they take necessary steps to end their complicity in the genocide in Darfur, they will suffer consequences. They need to stop supplying the Janjaweed with weapons; buying 70 percent of Sudanese exports, including oil; and protecting the Sudanese government on the world stage. They need to understand that unless they cease and desist in their collusion, their moment of glory during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be marred. Those of us who are people of conscience need to demand this!
Yesterday, the Chinese government released a statement saying that “linking the Olympics with the Darfur issue is against the Olympic Spirit.” I would ask them, is it in the Olympic spirit to fund and support genocide?
Spielberg took an important step this week to end his complicity with the Chinese government and, in effect, the genocide in Darfur. His conscience called on him to act, as it should for all of us.
The next step is for us to pressure corporate sponsors to make similar statements so that it's not "business as usual" at the Olympic Games. Corporations can use the leverage they have to pressure the Chinese government to help end this genocide! Those of us who care about this issue need to make sure that they know the power they have.
