Blood Diamonds

On Thursday of last week, I watched a documentary in class about conflict diamonds in South Africa and the atrocities there. Personally, I have always felt disgrace and disgust for the monolithic diamond and gold chains adorning the necks of celebrities, especially rappers. I was sure that this video, by presenting new facts about the background of some of this excessive jewelry, would merely bolster my views. I was wrong, or rather, shortsighted. This program did not just lambast Hollywood players in the diamond rush, but anyone who is too blinded by the status and beauty of diamonds to investigate their sources. Diamonds aren't bad, but conflict diamonds are.

And what are conflict, or blood, diamonds? Well, the history of diamonds in South Africa gives us our first clue. In the 1860s, diamonds were discovered in South Africa and, like everything else in Africa, exploited by resident Europeans. Mine workers could descend 2 miles underground, although they could be injured or killed by heat and frequent mine collapses. They worked miles away from their families and lived in hostels, which were basically dilapidated slums. Loneliness led to prostitute soliciting. Needless to say, AIDS wiped out many hostels.

Then rebel soldiers decided to use diamonds to fund themselves during guerilla war. They invade hostels and villages housing workers' families. Rather than just contenting themselves with stealing diamonds, they amputate entire limbs of workers and their families. Yes, this includes women and children as young as two years old. The stolen diamonds are then sold to companies, which disperse them across the US.

As alarming as this is, there is some good news. De Beers, the leading diamond distributor in the world, has instituted the Kimberley Process, a system that tracks every diamond received to prevent the purchase of conflict diamonds. Many other jewelers have devised similar plans. A significant portion of these companies, however, are not so dependable.

The conclusion of this documentary was not to stop purchasing diamonds, but rather to be aware of their sources. Remember, diamonds may be "forever," but so are our souls.