Conflict diamonds, gems that are illegally sold to fund civil wars and rebel conflicts, are in the spotlight with the release of 'Blood Diamond', a movie based on this underground trade. Diamond companies are launching a major advertising/PR campaign in response. Do you think that diamonds should be boycotted because of their source? Watch this Newshour Report and respond.
6 comments:
It is definately true that many diamond companies are making and effort to boost sales- there are many more commericals on tv for diamonds and jewelery than there were a few months ago. I just figured it was because the holiday season had started, but it makes sense that these companies would want to market themselves more since the movie Blood Diamond came out. It is amazing that such a high amount, 4-5% worldwide, are conflict diamonds. The Kimberly Process of tracking diamonds is a good idea, but it is not foolproof. The fact that diamonds cannot be easily tracked makes it much easier to steal and export them. Also, mines in many places such as Sierra Leone are very unindustrialized, which makes stealing even easier. If the number of conflict diamonds is to be decreased, a better system needs to be developed.
I don't think all diamond sellers should be punished for the 5% of diamonds that are sold for bad reasons. However, I do think it's a good idea to moniter where diamonds are coming from so that conflict diamonds can't be sold on the market. On the other hand, I'm sure it would be quite easy to get around the market, and there'll always be uneducated people who don't care where their diamond came from as long as they can buy it. A percentage of money always gets used for illegal and morally wrong purposes, that's life, the world isn't perfect. It's good that this issue is being brought into the light though, so maybe more can be done to protect the innocent people being subjected to brutality. But I don't think boycotting diamonds would prevent these rebels from continuing to comit horrible crimes.
Thank you for the rap suzanne.
That was atleast a 10 minute video about things they could have said in like two and a half. The whole boycotting of the diamionds does not seem like a good idea. The reporter guy said that there was only around 4-5% of the diamonds were "conflict diamonds". Instead of boycotting how about stopping the terrorists from terrorizing these people. This movie should act as a wake up call to all those people that can make a change. Not many fiances are going to be very satisfied without a diamond. For now i will just stick to my earring made of cut glass.
It is troubling to think of how certain diamonds are obtained. It is scary how these small pieces of rock can make people in poverty stricken countries act. It is also scary how these diamonds fund civil wars in areas that should spend the money on helping the economy instead of buying firearms. I would not purchase a diamond if it were acquired by these means because this violence should not be encouraged in any way.
Personally, I find diamonds overrated. I feel that people desire diamonds just for the name because owning diamond accessories makes you sound elegant. Knocked-off jewelry looks exactly the same and won’t empty your wallet. I was in a jewelry store recently and they started their diamond earrings at 500 for a grain of sand, so I don’t think i'll be interested in buying any type of diamond for the time being.
I honestly dont think that the boycotting of diamond companies would serve any purpose in this situation unless you could could be sure you are boycotting the correct company. Its like boycotting shoes when only select companies have immoral circumstances. The situation of blood diamonds is a direct result from a unstable government and without the cooperation of world peace organizations nothing can pull together a cohesive force against these corrupt inhumane people. This issue just needs to be moved to the top of the pile and taken care of among many other things as to bring peace to countries full of corruption for things in which we look merely upon as just a thing of beauty.
and Suzanne is my hero.
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