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The True Cost of the "Anti-Bling" Message for Africa
It is an uphill struggle opposing sensationalists who are actually doing Africa harm by the stories they write or documentaries they make. This is a letter (that we understand was published) to the editor of a leading UK newspaper that published a story supporting rapper Kanye West's ridiculous ideas about Africa's diamond industry. I firmly believe that West's strategy is to use controversy to sell records and by attacking diamonds - the symbol of wealth and power worn by his black peers - he certainly kicked up a storm ... and a few more hundred million $ to buy cars, hoes and whatever else he wants to use instead of diamonds to symbolize his insane wealth. I know first hand that after he came to understand the harm he had done to Africa that he quickly back tracked on the whole "diamonds are bad" story ... as they say in Ireland, "What a Muppet".
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Sir, I refer to your article of the 16th September entitled: Maxi Jazz: The true cost of bling. Having just attended the International Diamond Conference in New York, where one of the key note speakers was Mohammed Dhaffie Benja V - Chairman of the Council of Chiefs of Sierra Leone. Chief Benja V brought a message. That message, I feel, I must bring to you. The cry for help from the young men of Sierra Leone to the world and in particular, the diamond industry, is to help them create an industry that they can thrive on for generations to come, not to boycott a major part of their economic future. What is needed to protect the weak but proud nation of Sierra Leone and it's people, is a proactive initiative to highlight the development that is happening there and in particular fair trade initiatives. The war in Sierra Leone ended more than four years ago yet journalists and more recently, rappers alike, increasingly lead humanitarian cries aimed at the diamond industry with unreserved reference to it and/or by portraying shocking photos of dismembered children. I recently witnessed the plight of the people of Sierra Leone, through Chief Benja V, crying out for help from the Diamond industry to teach them how to realise their potential through development. This could happen but the "diamonds from Africa fund war" voice, which is gathering a belated momentum, could stop much of this development before the opportunity even takes hold. The recent International Diamond Conference in New York was hosted by Rapaport. Rapaport issues a weekly diamond price report that the entire industry uses as a price reference. Rapaport is also a pioneer in the campaign to improve the industry to such a degree that Martin Rapaport invited Chief Benja V from Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo Government Minister of Mines Mr. Ingele Ifoto to address the delegates from around the world. The message was simple and passionate, "Show us the way". Boycotting the sale of diamonds from Africa is only causing this continent more pain and suffering through poverty. Of course, defusing the alarming message of conflict diamonds is not only in the interest of the people of Sierra Leone. It is a volatile situation for the diamond industry also. The war in Sierra Leone is over. What is left is a fair trade issue. Workers dig for diamonds and earn as little as a bag of rice each week. This will change as the nation develops politically and industrially with the help of the leaders of the international diamond industry and fair trade pressure. Please do not participate in further harming Sierra Leone and other African countries diamond trade by branding one and all as 'a conflict diamond source'. It is a dangerous message for the consumer. If anything the message should be to purchase wisely from reputable retailers. The diamond industry is genuinely behind the extinction of conflict diamonds - both for humanitarian and commercial reasons. Proof of one single diamond from a conflict source sold by a major international brand would be the end of that brand in a matter of weeks. The people of Sierra Leone ask you not to air the "do not buy diamonds because they may fund war in Africa" mantra. It is a serious request but who else has the right to plead this? Kanye West and Faithless's rapper Maxi Jazz seem to have jumped on a hot campaign which, if they are successful in getting their message across, will result in a brighter future halted for the people of Sierra Leone and other African countries that are changing slowing but willingly. Are they actually Sierra Leone's new enemy - guilty of uninvited involvement, maiming a high-potential African industry and destroying the future of African community's? I ask you to allow your readers to consider this response to the article about 'The true cost of Bling' and ask 'What is the true cost of Anti-Bling?' Kind regards, Fraser Brown Managing Director Browns of Bankmore Ltd Fraser Diamonds, Inc |
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