Recently, supermodel Naomi Campbell testified in the ongoing war crimes trial of Charles Taylor, former President of Liberia and architect of countless murders and mutilations. Taylor, one of the many sociopaths that the U.S. felt it was a brilliant idea to support only to later regret it, attended a party where Campbell was also a guest. He became quite enamoured with her and had some representatives present her with a gift. What kind of gift? Fifty bucks to spend at any Wendy's? Nope. A subscription to Fisherman's Monthly? Nope. Rather than get her either of those (awesome) options, he instead opted to give the supermodel a gift that only a batshit-insane African dictator would choose.
He gave her a bag of blood diamonds.
So, there it is. That's how Naomi Campbell ended up in The Hague the other day.
She didn't keep the diamonds, however. That's not what this is about. It's tough to find exactly what she did with the diamonds, however. But that is not the point. The point is, that when asked about her overall (bitchy) demeanour during her questioning, she explained that she "did not want to be there" and that "it was a great inconvenience."
A fucking inconvenience.
Most (good) people, if asked to testify about a man responsible for even just one murder, would jump at the chance to do their part to make someone who is inherently evil answer for his crimes. But not Ms. Campbell. She has shit to do. Namely, she has to look good. Or beat the shit out of her assistants. She is a model – a super one, at that. Don't you realize how important she is?
Silly United Nations.
This is, after all, the same woman who claims to be heavily involved in charities benefitting Africa yet somehow had "never heard" of Liberia prior to meeting Taylor.
She could see her testimony as the smoking gun in a trial that could send a message worldwide to dictators with genocide-oriented plans. She could stand up for those affected by Taylor's actions, condemning him for what he has done while simultaneously sending a message to the citizens of Africa that the upper hemisphere does give a shit. She could take pride in knowing that her testimony will hopefully bring the reign of terror of a tyrant to an end. Instead, she views her testimony as "an inconvenience."
And she told this to the judge, no less.
Amazing. In terms of pure despicability, Naomi Campbell somehow trumps Sarah Palin.
Ms. Campbell's testimony was a defining moment of her life. And she defined herself as immature, senseless, and uncaring. Everything charitable she does from now on will ring hollow, and many will know it.
Even worse, if Taylor goes free (or into the former dictator paradise known as exile), it will be partially due to her testimony, along with every action Taylor takes from freedom onwards.
One can only hope that Campbell recognizes her error, and it weighs on her conscience for the rest of her useless life.
Actress Mia Farrow also testified, which was less interesting. It would have been wonderful to see a sixty-five year old well-respected actor and humanitarian lose her shit, though. Something like, "Do you know who the fuck I am?! I'm Mia motherfuckin' Farrow, bitch! ... I mean your honour. What was the question?"
