It is hard to comprehend that the diamonds we treasure might have cost a life in another country. I really appreciate the video that Kanye West made about conflict diamonds. As a celebrity he has a lot of power over the general public, and can convince many people to do as he says. The part of the video where the man puts the ring on the woman’s finger only to watch as blood started to pour down her arm is a really loud statement. I think that everyone needs to be aware that the symbol of love worn on their finger is a symbol of fear and violence elsewhere. Personally, I do not want to ever be wearing such a contradiction to proclaim my love. What makes everything worse is that it can be controlled. If corporations would deny Africa as a supplier, then what motivation would they have to continue the violence? Corporations will not stop using Africa as a supplier because the diamonds they provide are inexpensive. It is all about a profit, nothing else matters. I don’t understand how leaders can be so blind to the realities of other human beings. The reason I will never wear a diamond ring is because I know that I was lucky to be born in this country, in this time. What if I had been born in Africa instead? I would want the first world countries to be actively trying to aid my situation, instead of fund those who harm me. “Diamonds are forever.” Does this even work as a marketing campaign anymore? Most marriages are not forever; let’s go for a gem that needs to be replaced in about a year. Seems like a better strategy for today.
Based on the first part of the video where the man tried to show his love by screaming at the top of his lungs it seems that she was embarrassed and she would have rather him show his love for by giving her a diamond ring not even thinking how these diamonds came to be. Kanye West is a very popular music artist. So I believe that by him making this video and incorporating the history behind diamonds it will make more people aware of where their diamonds come from.
I didn’t like the diamond commercial, but my wife thought it was very romantic. So, there you go—score a homerun for the diamond industry. That’s the side of the industry that most of us see, and it’s very powerful and effective. We are saturated with this type of marketing and have bought into it completely—it’s love . . . prestige . . . a status symbol. Doesn’t she deserve a beautiful rock that is expensive due to the manipulation of supply? “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” but who are the friends of the murdered and tortured in Africa who mine these beautiful ornaments? Kanye West is one friend, and his video gives a valid perspective of the reality of diamond consumerism. Companies such as DeBeers, the number one diamond supplier, have for many years dealt in blood diamonds but deny any such connection. That’s curious, considering they have been fined over $300 million since 2001 for advertising falsely, violating anti-trust laws, and funding civil war and corrupt governments. Today DeBeers Diamonds guarantees that its diamonds are not conflict diamonds due to the Kimberley Process, but this guarantee is worthless and cannot be proven, and many of the KP countries are totally corrupt. The truth about diamonds is “not pretty”. Diamonds have funded civil wars and corrupt governments in which millions have been murdered and mutilated. Miners have respiratory problems and life-threatening injuries, must face the wrath of mine owners, receive little pay, and are sometimes forced into slavery. Furthermore, environmental degradation in mining areas is massive. Nothing good comes from diamonds for the people in these areas, so how important is that diamond to you?
Most advertising commercial shown for diamonds are generic that just try to get the audience attention especially young women. In America we are very materialistic and it has also come to be a tradition to buy a diamond ring when people get engaged or married. I read more into conflict diamonds also known as blood diamonds how can customers know the difference between a diamond found by terrorist group or by a regular mining company? There is the Kimberly Process but not many agencies use it and then the only advice one can give consumers is demand information about where the diamonds came from which is not going to happen consumers are more interested in purchasing the diamond then trying to find out where they came from most of them do not even think about rebels using diamonds to fund illegal operations of rebels and terrorist groups.
A majority of women love, love, love diamonds. We have been taught that they are precious stones, valuable, and show an undying amount of love, and of course we love how they look. I'm all for only purchasing non conflict diamonds, but if we are lied to about that fact, then how can we help it. I hate to say it, Diamonds will always be popular, no matter what people say about them. It's like cheap clothing from a sweat shop. People know that is how a big percentage of clothing that you buy in department stores is made, but they keep buying them anyway.
Diamonds are forever is a saying that has gone on for a while now. But in all actuality people are dying in other countries because of this.Many women as well as myself love diamonds but all we see is the beauty of it but we dont really think about how they were made and the people that died.Just like the clothes we wear. All these name brand clothes. Alot of these companies have sweat shops and people are working for nearly nothing. Day after day ,struggling to support their families on low incomes.Its just something that people either dont know or think about when they purchase these articles. I loved the Kanye video and i agree with Melissa Martin he does have alot of power through his music to the public. Great video.Strong message.
Until the public is more aware of how these diamonds come to be then these types of diamonds will always be in demand. Also without proper public notification of just how rare diamonds are NOT and that the public is being overcharged excessively, that too will carry on. I like that an icon like Kanye is outspoken on the subject because he will reach a certain demographic and little by little this information is going to reach the masses. I just wish it was sooner rather than later.
The saying of “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” or “Diamonds are Forever” has always been a commercialized way and a saying that has been said for years. These diamonds are advertised in a way in which it makes people want to go buy a diamond ring or surprise a loved one with a diamond. But what people don’t understand is the risk that these miners take upon themselves to dig these diamonds and it comes from countries such as Africa and that companies such as DeBeers will continue to be a main supplier of diamonds no matter what the consequences. Like the video showed when the man was giving the girl a ring and blood was running up her hand and arm. With all the corruption in government and bloodshed due to the diamond industry I think that these diamonds are overrated. And I don’t feel it’s worth having one at the expense of taking someone’s life due to working/health conditions in the mine industry, murders or someone being mutilated.
I totally agree with the person above me. Who would not want a diamond? That is my birthstone, so it is a significant in my life. I honestly did not know how dangerous it was to mine for diamonds. I knew about it but did not know the extent behind it. This shows exactly why diamonds are priced so high. Look at all a miner has to go through to just get one. I would want my hard work to shown and if it is shown through a price then there you go. Miners put their lives on the line to discover these small fortunes. Maybe if people would actually know the work that is placed to get diamonds, than maybe the demand for them would not be so excessive. Maybe even if everyone knew about the dangers of mining it might cause the cost of diamonds to rise up. To me it is a lose lose situation. No way to avoid it because people will always want a diamond.
I thought the choice of videos was excellent, to be honest I did not know anything about "blood" diamonds or "conflict" diamonds until I first saw the Diamonds video by Kayne West. He is one of my favorie artist and after watching this video for the first time I was intrigued to find out more about the "blood" diamond children and Sierra Leone.
I couldn't watch it.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to comprehend that the diamonds we treasure might have cost a life in another country. I really appreciate the video that Kanye West made about conflict diamonds. As a celebrity he has a lot of power over the general public, and can convince many people to do as he says. The part of the video where the man puts the ring on the woman’s finger only to watch as blood started to pour down her arm is a really loud statement. I think that everyone needs to be aware that the symbol of love worn on their finger is a symbol of fear and violence elsewhere. Personally, I do not want to ever be wearing such a contradiction to proclaim my love.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes everything worse is that it can be controlled. If corporations would deny Africa as a supplier, then what motivation would they have to continue the violence? Corporations will not stop using Africa as a supplier because the diamonds they provide are inexpensive. It is all about a profit, nothing else matters. I don’t understand how leaders can be so blind to the realities of other human beings. The reason I will never wear a diamond ring is because I know that I was lucky to be born in this country, in this time. What if I had been born in Africa instead? I would want the first world countries to be actively trying to aid my situation, instead of fund those who harm me.
“Diamonds are forever.” Does this even work as a marketing campaign anymore? Most marriages are not forever; let’s go for a gem that needs to be replaced in about a year. Seems like a better strategy for today.
Based on the first part of the video where the man tried to show his love by screaming at the top of his lungs it seems that she was embarrassed and she would have rather him show his love for by giving her a diamond ring not even thinking how these diamonds came to be. Kanye West is a very popular music artist. So I believe that by him making this video and incorporating the history behind diamonds it will make more people aware of where their diamonds come from.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t like the diamond commercial, but my wife thought it was very romantic. So, there you go—score a homerun for the diamond industry. That’s the side of the industry that most of us see, and it’s very powerful and effective. We are saturated with this type of marketing and have bought into it completely—it’s love . . . prestige . . . a status symbol. Doesn’t she deserve a beautiful rock that is expensive due to the manipulation of supply?
ReplyDelete“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” but who are the friends of the murdered and tortured in Africa who mine these beautiful ornaments? Kanye West is one friend, and his video gives a valid perspective of the reality of diamond consumerism. Companies such as DeBeers, the number one diamond supplier, have for many years dealt in blood diamonds but deny any such connection. That’s curious, considering they have been fined over $300 million since 2001 for advertising falsely, violating anti-trust laws, and funding civil war and corrupt governments.
Today DeBeers Diamonds guarantees that its diamonds are not conflict diamonds due to the Kimberley Process, but this guarantee is worthless and cannot be proven, and many of the KP countries are totally corrupt. The truth about diamonds is “not pretty”. Diamonds have funded civil wars and corrupt governments in which millions have been murdered and mutilated. Miners have respiratory problems and life-threatening injuries, must face the wrath of mine owners, receive little pay, and are sometimes forced into slavery. Furthermore, environmental degradation in mining areas is massive. Nothing good comes from diamonds for the people in these areas, so how important is that diamond to you?
Most advertising commercial shown for diamonds are generic that just try to get the audience attention especially young women. In America we are very materialistic and it has also come to be a tradition to buy a diamond ring when people get engaged or married. I read more into conflict diamonds also known as blood diamonds how can customers know the difference between a diamond found by terrorist group or by a regular mining company? There is the Kimberly Process but not many agencies use it and then the only advice one can give consumers is demand information about where the diamonds came from which is not going to happen consumers are more interested in purchasing the diamond then trying to find out where they came from most of them do not even think about rebels using diamonds to fund illegal operations of rebels and terrorist groups.
ReplyDeleteA majority of women love, love, love diamonds. We have been taught that they are precious stones, valuable, and show an undying amount of love, and of course we love how they look. I'm all for only purchasing non conflict diamonds, but if we are lied to about that fact, then how can we help it. I hate to say it, Diamonds will always be popular, no matter what people say about them. It's like cheap clothing from a sweat shop. People know that is how a big percentage of clothing that you buy in department stores is made, but they keep buying them anyway.
ReplyDeleteDiamonds are forever is a saying that has gone on for a while now. But in all actuality people are dying in other countries because of this.Many women as well as myself love diamonds but all we see is the beauty of it but we dont really think about how they were made and the people that died.Just like the clothes we wear. All these name brand clothes. Alot of these companies have sweat shops and people are working for nearly nothing. Day after day ,struggling to support their families on low incomes.Its just something that people either dont know or think about when they purchase these articles. I loved the Kanye video and i agree with Melissa Martin he does have alot of power through his music to the public. Great video.Strong message.
ReplyDeleteUntil the public is more aware of how these diamonds come to be then these types of diamonds will always be in demand. Also without proper public notification of just how rare diamonds are NOT and that the public is being overcharged excessively, that too will carry on. I like that an icon like Kanye is outspoken on the subject because he will reach a certain demographic and little by little this information is going to reach the masses. I just wish it was sooner rather than later.
ReplyDeleteThe saying of “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” or “Diamonds are Forever” has always been a commercialized way and a saying that has been said for years. These diamonds are advertised in a way in which it makes people want to go buy a diamond ring or surprise a loved one with a diamond. But what people don’t understand is the risk that these miners take upon themselves to dig these diamonds and it comes from countries such as Africa and that companies such as DeBeers will continue to be a main supplier of diamonds no matter what the consequences. Like the video showed when the man was giving the girl a ring and blood was running up her hand and arm. With all the corruption in government and bloodshed due to the diamond industry I think that these diamonds are overrated. And I don’t feel it’s worth having one at the expense of taking someone’s life due to working/health conditions in the mine industry, murders or someone being mutilated.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the person above me. Who would not want a diamond? That is my birthstone, so it is a significant in my life. I honestly did not know how dangerous it was to mine for diamonds. I knew about it but did not know the extent behind it. This shows exactly why diamonds are priced so high. Look at all a miner has to go through to just get one. I would want my hard work to shown and if it is shown through a price then there you go. Miners put their lives on the line to discover these small fortunes. Maybe if people would actually know the work that is placed to get diamonds, than maybe the demand for them would not be so excessive. Maybe even if everyone knew about the dangers of mining it might cause the cost of diamonds to rise up. To me it is a lose lose situation. No way to avoid it because people will always want a diamond.
ReplyDeleteI thought the choice of videos was excellent, to be honest I did not know anything about "blood" diamonds or "conflict" diamonds until I first saw the Diamonds video by Kayne West. He is one of my favorie artist and after watching this video for the first time I was intrigued to find out more about the "blood" diamond children and Sierra Leone.
ReplyDelete