Beyond The Bling

This documentary was well done. I believe that it captured the essence of what is referred to as bling which in the hip hop community is showy jewelry that pretty much announces to the world that you have arrived. The film poses a serious question for blingers and would-be blingers... At what cost are we willing to obtain precious stones such as diamonds?

Does the possibility that the bling you wear has been produced from the blood, sweat and tears of Africans change your perspective?

The film examines a dark side of how diamonds are mined and the suffering that many Africans endure to obtain these precious stones. Best known as "blood diamonds" or "conflict diamonds" the film delved deep into the working conditions and the injuries mine workers incur. Many have lost ears, legs and arms. In one part it tells of a war that was waged in the 1990s by militants in order to gain control over diamond mines in an effort to overthrow the present power. It really captured the heights many are willing to go.

I believe that rap artist such as Common and Kanye West should be commended for the efforts to bring awareness to the hip hop community about the conditions in which some Africans works just to find the bling that many wear.





Our class discussion further help me to understand that the documentary was not really speaking against people wearing or purchasing their bling, rather it was just saying, "be aware of the black market diamonds and when possible avoid contributing to their purchase" which support those who manipulate, take advantage of Africans and put at risk of death and disabling injuries. In short, stop black on black crime.