BLOOD Diamonds:BLOOD Diamonds:Are they forever?Are they forever?

SS10 – GlobalizationSS10 – GlobalizationMr. R. ThompsonMr. R. Thompson

““Illicit diamonds make fabulous profits Illicit diamonds make fabulous profits for terrorists and corporarations alike. for terrorists and corporarations alike.

The trade illustrates with the hard The trade illustrates with the hard clarity of the gem itself that no matter clarity of the gem itself that no matter where human rights violations occur, where human rights violations occur, the world ignores them at its peril.”the world ignores them at its peril.”

Are You Involved?Are You Involved?

• What is the historical background to the diamond industry?

• What are Diamonds?• Why do people want them so badly?• Who is producing the worlds diamonds?• What are the working and living conditions

of those producing the worlds diamonds?• Should we be looking more closely at

where our diamonds are coming from?• Should we more carefully look at how all

our consumer goods are being created?

Slave/Gun Cycle & Diamond/Gun Cycle – Is Slave/Gun Cycle & Diamond/Gun Cycle – Is History Repeating Itself?History Repeating Itself?

Slavery was a part of Slavery was a part of African History long African History long before the Europeans before the Europeans arrivedarrived

The Transatlantic The Transatlantic Slave trade changed Slave trade changed the way slavery the way slavery operated in Africa.operated in Africa.

From the 1400’s to From the 1400’s to 1870 10 million slaves 1870 10 million slaves were sent from Africa were sent from Africa to America alone in to America alone in brutal middle brutal middle passages.passages.

The Slave/Gun CycleThe Slave/Gun Cycle European Traders brought men, European Traders brought men,

women and children from West women and children from West African Coasts and transported African Coasts and transported them chained together and them chained together and packed below decks where they packed below decks where they had little room to move.had little room to move.

Some captains took so many Some captains took so many slaves that there was little room slaves that there was little room for fresh water.for fresh water.

When the decks were sealed the When the decks were sealed the heat caused many captives to die heat caused many captives to die of suffocation. Many more died of suffocation. Many more died of disease.of disease.

Those who survived (usually Those who survived (usually about 50%) were sold to about 50%) were sold to plantation owners who farmed in plantation owners who farmed in Sugar in the West Indies, or Sugar in the West Indies, or Tobacco & Cotton in North Tobacco & Cotton in North America.America.

The The Triangular Triangular

Slave TradeSlave Trade

• The first leg of the cycle might begin in a country like New England (America) The ship would be loaded with rum, guns and ammunition headed for a West African port.

• Once these ships arrived in West Africa, these guns & ammo would be traded for slaves who would be loaded on the ships.

• This trade gave West African tribes an advantage in the wars they were fighting with tribes from the interior of Africa and they could therefore capture more prisoners of war to be later traded with the Americans and Europeans for more guns & ammo.

To The AmericasTo The Americas• Slaves were now transported below deck, tightly packed like any other cargo in order to maximize profits.

• Those who survived the voyage would be sold in Slave Markets in the West Indies and traded for other products like tobacco or sugar. The slaves would often end up in the Southern United States to be used as labour on their plantations.

• These products would now be shipped back to New England (America) for use by consumers there or for sale to other European countries.

Todays CycleTodays Cycle

• Many of today's diamonds are produced in 3rd World countries in Africa an South America.

• The conditions under which these diamonds are mined are terrible with miners working under slave like conditions.

• In addition in 1998 about 20% of the world’s diamonds were being used to finance wars of insurgency in countries like Angola, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

The Gun Cycle ContinuesThe Gun Cycle Continues Like the Historical Like the Historical

Slave/Gun Cycle. Guns are Slave/Gun Cycle. Guns are the product these rebel the product these rebel African groups most want. African groups most want. They often enslave men, They often enslave men, women and children to work women and children to work in the diamond mines or in the diamond mines or may pay them pennies a may pay them pennies a day to work.day to work.

Once again the diamonds Once again the diamonds end up in developed end up in developed Western Nations, while the Western Nations, while the rebel groups trade the rebel groups trade the money they make for the money they make for the diamonds for more weapons diamonds for more weapons and the cycle continues.and the cycle continues.

““Blood Diamonds”Blood Diamonds” Africans who Africans who

oppose the oppose the rebel groups rebel groups are often are often slaughtered.slaughtered.

Those who most Those who most need protection need protection are often those are often those who are most who are most often abused often abused under this under this immoral trade.immoral trade.

What are What are Diamonds?Diamonds?

• The Ancient Greeks thought that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen to earth.

• In reality diamonds are crystals of pure carbon (coal) that has been crystallized at high temperatures over millions of years.

• The value of a diamond is usually measure by what is known as the “four c’s”. Color, Clarity, Carat weight, and cut. Today the world would benefit from an additional C. Conflict-free.

Why Why DiamondsDiamonds

Before 1938 Before 1938 diamonds did not diamonds did not hold the power over hold the power over us that they do us that they do today. At that time today. At that time the value of an the value of an average diamond in average diamond in North America was North America was only $80.only $80.

De Beers diamond De Beers diamond corporation decided corporation decided to use advertising to use advertising and the media to and the media to convince young men convince young men and women that and women that diamonds are diamonds are actually symbols of actually symbols of love.love.

Hollywood Steps InHollywood Steps In The Movie industry was The Movie industry was

the fastest growing the fastest growing industry of the time industry of the time and De Beers decided and De Beers decided to take advantage of it.to take advantage of it.

Movie Idols would be Movie Idols would be given diamonds to use given diamonds to use as a symbol of their as a symbol of their love.love.

In addition magazines In addition magazines and newspaper adds and newspaper adds would reinforce the link would reinforce the link between diamonds and between diamonds and love.love.

Royalty and DiamondsRoyalty and Diamonds Since Great Britain had Since Great Britain had

an interest in the an interest in the success of the diamond success of the diamond industry the British industry the British Monarchy was convinced Monarchy was convinced they should use they should use diamonds rather than diamonds rather than other jewels when in other jewels when in public events.public events.

The Queen went on a The Queen went on a well-publicized trip to well-publicized trip to several South African several South African diamond mines and diamond mines and accepted a diamond from accepted a diamond from De Beers corporation.De Beers corporation.

““Diamonds Diamonds are are

Forever”Forever”

De Beers decided they De Beers decided they needed a slogan for needed a slogan for their campaign and that their campaign and that slogan became, “A slogan became, “A Diamond is Forever”Diamond is Forever”

By 1950 90% of young By 1950 90% of young men proposing marriage men proposing marriage were doing so with a were doing so with a diamond engagement diamond engagement ring, the campaign had ring, the campaign had been a success.been a success.

The diamond movement The diamond movement received a boost when received a boost when Marilyn Monroe starred Marilyn Monroe starred in the blockbuster film, in the blockbuster film, “Gentlemen prefer “Gentlemen prefer Blondes” and sang the Blondes” and sang the song “Diamonds are a song “Diamonds are a girls best friend”girls best friend”

Diamonds are a Girls Best FriendDiamonds are a Girls Best Friend The French were bred to die for loveThe French were bred to die for love

They delight in fighting duelsThey delight in fighting duelsBut I prefer a man who livesBut I prefer a man who livesAnd gives expensive jewelsAnd gives expensive jewelsA kiss on the hand may be quite A kiss on the hand may be quite continentalcontinentalBut diamonds are a girl's best friendBut diamonds are a girl's best friendA kiss may be grand but it won't pay A kiss may be grand but it won't pay the rentalthe rentalOn your humble flat, or help you at On your humble flat, or help you at the automatthe automatMen grow cold as girls grow oldMen grow cold as girls grow oldAnd we all lose our charms in the And we all lose our charms in the endendBut square cut or pear shapedBut square cut or pear shapedThese rocks don't lose their shapeThese rocks don't lose their shapeDiamonds are a girl's best friendDiamonds are a girl's best friend

Tiffany's, CartierTiffany's, CartierTalk to me, Harry, Winston, tell me Talk to me, Harry, Winston, tell me all about itall about itThere may come a time when a lass There may come a time when a lass needs a lawyerneeds a lawyerBut diamonds are a girl's best friendBut diamonds are a girl's best friend

There may come a time when a hard There may come a time when a hard boiled employerboiled employerThinks your awful niceThinks your awful niceBut get that ice or else no diceBut get that ice or else no diceHe's your guy when stocks are highHe's your guy when stocks are highBut beware when the start to descendBut beware when the start to descendIt's then that those louses go back to It's then that those louses go back to their spousestheir spousesDiamonds are a girl's best friendDiamonds are a girl's best friendI've heard of affairs that are strictly I've heard of affairs that are strictly platonicplatonicBut diamonds are a girl's best friendBut diamonds are a girl's best friendAnd I think affairs that you must keep And I think affairs that you must keep liaisonicliaisonicAre better bets if little pets get big Are better bets if little pets get big baggettesbaggettesTime rolls on and youth is goneTime rolls on and youth is goneAnd you can't straighten up when you And you can't straighten up when you bendbendBut stiff back or stiff kneesBut stiff back or stiff kneesYou stand straight at Tiffany'sYou stand straight at Tiffany's

DiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsI don't mean rhinestonesI don't mean rhinestonesBut DiamondsBut DiamondsAre A Girl's Best FriendAre A Girl's Best Friend

Where are today’s Diamonds Where are today’s Diamonds coming from?coming from?

Most of today’s diamonds Most of today’s diamonds are produced in nations are produced in nations in Africa and South in Africa and South America. However America. However Canada is growing as a Canada is growing as a diamond producing diamond producing nation. Today we are the nation. Today we are the 66thth largest diamond largest diamond producing nation and we producing nation and we are expected to become are expected to become the 2the 2ndnd largest producer largest producer by the year 2010.by the year 2010.

In 2006 Canada In 2006 Canada produced 2 Billion dollars produced 2 Billion dollars in Diamonds.in Diamonds.

Where are the Where are the World’s Blood World’s Blood

Diamonds?Diamonds?

Many of the world’s Many of the world’s diamonds are mined in diamonds are mined in 33rdrd World nations. World nations.

The Term “Blood The Term “Blood Diamond” is used to Diamond” is used to describe a diamond describe a diamond mined in a war zone, mined in a war zone, and usually used to and usually used to finance that war.finance that war.

Other terms for Blood Other terms for Blood Diamonds are Diamonds are Dirty Dirty Diamonds,Diamonds, Conflict Conflict DiamondsDiamonds, or , or War War DiamondsDiamonds..

The The KimberlKimberl

y y ProcessProcess

In May of 2000 the United In May of 2000 the United Nations met in Kimberly South Nations met in Kimberly South Africa to discuss ways to stop Africa to discuss ways to stop the trade of Blood Diamonds. the trade of Blood Diamonds. The results of the agreement The results of the agreement signed there have led to a signed there have led to a reduction in the number of reduction in the number of blood diamonds being blood diamonds being exported. The trade in this exported. The trade in this industry has dropped now to industry has dropped now to less than 4%, however that still less than 4%, however that still means that $1 Billion worth of means that $1 Billion worth of diamonds are funding wars. diamonds are funding wars.

In addition most diamonds are In addition most diamonds are still mined in African nations still mined in African nations under terrible working under terrible working conditions. Mines are conditions. Mines are dangerous places which often dangerous places which often collapse, killing the miners collapse, killing the miners inside. Because children are inside. Because children are small and cheap to pay, many small and cheap to pay, many of the workers are small of the workers are small children.children.

What does the following suggest about What does the following suggest about the mining industry?the mining industry?

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Conflict Diamonds Video.url

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Is Canada Is Canada “Conflict-“Conflict-

Free”Free”

First Nations leader slams Canadian diamonds First Nations leader slams Canadian diamonds (CBC NEWS ARTICLE)(CBC NEWS ARTICLE)

A First Nations group in Ontario is trying to A First Nations group in Ontario is trying to dissuade Americans from buying Canadian dissuade Americans from buying Canadian diamonds this holiday season, saying the diamonds this holiday season, saying the jewels are mined at the expense of its people.jewels are mined at the expense of its people.

Alvin Fiddler, deputy grand chief of the Alvin Fiddler, deputy grand chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, said De Beers Nishnawbe Aski Nation, said De Beers Canada in particular is causing environmental Canada in particular is causing environmental devastation and disrupting his community of devastation and disrupting his community of 45,000 Cree and Ojibwa in northern Ontario.45,000 Cree and Ojibwa in northern Ontario.

"They're not clean diamonds; they're not "They're not clean diamonds; they're not conflict-free diamonds," Fiddler told CBC conflict-free diamonds," Fiddler told CBC News. "People are paying a price for these News. "People are paying a price for these diamonds and it's our people in the diamonds and it's our people in the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. Our people, our Nishnawbe Aski Nation. Our people, our children, are languishing in poverty while children, are languishing in poverty while these resources are being extracted from these resources are being extracted from their territory."their territory."

Fiddler this week had an editorial published Fiddler this week had an editorial published in the diamond industry trade publication in the diamond industry trade publication Rapaport News, in which he outlined Rapaport News, in which he outlined his concerns about Canadian diamond his concerns about Canadian diamond exploration and mining. He says several exploration and mining. He says several communities have called for a moratorium on communities have called for a moratorium on mineral exploration on land where the legal mineral exploration on land where the legal title is under dispute.title is under dispute.

"Tell De Beers, other diamond miners and "Tell De Beers, other diamond miners and Canada that unless things change, Canadian Canada that unless things change, Canadian diamonds are no better than conflict diamonds are no better than conflict diamonds from Africa."diamonds from Africa."

What should YOU do?What should YOU do? What should be done about What should be done about

the Blood Diamond Industry?the Blood Diamond Industry? Should we attempt to change Should we attempt to change

the working conditions of the working conditions of those involved in the Diamond those involved in the Diamond Industry?Industry?

Should we be concerned with Should we be concerned with environmental conditions, environmental conditions, land claim concerns, and land claim concerns, and working conditions in working conditions in Canadian Mines?Canadian Mines?

Should Canadians consumers Should Canadians consumers consider the sources of other consider the sources of other products being purchased products being purchased here and what treatment their here and what treatment their workers are living under?workers are living under?

WHAT WILL YOU DO?WHAT WILL YOU DO?

The End?The End?