Mao: Empty Icon

After the failures of the Great Leap Forward, revisionists in the Chinese Communist Party tried to sideline Mao, whilst simultaneously instructing the masses to fetishise and worship him as an 'empty icon'*, purely as a distraction to consolidate their own power.
Meaning Mao should have no meaning beyond being a meaningless symbol - exactly as Warhol would portray.
Meaning: You must worship our great leader, all is good, but don't listen to a single word he says.
Sound familiar?
But next thing...
Mao said people should free themselves.
'It is right to rebel'.
Imagine!

Don't keep calm and carry Mao on.

* Don't bother Googling this, it's in a book afore the internet.