Steven Spielberg has salvaged something of great value: his reputation.
The film director withdrew as artistic adviser to the Beijing Olympics, coming up this August. He took his time making the decision; it's not as if he became skittish at the first hint of controversy. He's already been criticized for his participation in the Games. He has expressed his own concerns to the Chinese government. In the end, however, it appears he felt there was little choice but to back away.
In a statement, Mr. Spielberg tied his decision to "the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur." China supplies arms and money to the government of Sudan, the overseers of the atrocities.
While China has shown some willingness to join in the international community's statements of concern, it hasn't done much else to stop the killing. It's clear from the invasion of Chad and the ongoing bombing of civilians in Darfur that the government of Sudan feels it can still act with impunity, four years into the crisis.
"I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue with business as usual," Mr. Spielberg said.
One film that will forever be associated with Mr. Spielberg's name is Schindler's List, which was about the Holocaust. That might be why, of all the reasons for refusing to cozy up to Beijing, Mr. Spielberg chose Darfur. China is underwriting death and displacement on a massive scale. That's nothing to celebrate.
Not every artist and athlete preparing to take part in the Games will have as much influence on China as Mr. Spielberg. But his example should remind them that their Olympic host has crimes to answer for.
© The Ottawa Citizen 2008
