Blood/Conflict Diamonds: Russell Simmons Exposed

Created by: Marvo the Great

What are Diamonds?

The Ancient Greeks thought that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen to earth. Africans understood clearly that diamonds came from the earth

Diamonds are crystals of pure carbon (coal) that has been crystallized at high temperatures over millions of years.

Why Diamonds Before 1938 diamonds

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

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

Hollywood Steps In

The Movie industry was the fastest growing industry of the time and DeBeers decided to take advantage of it.

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

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

“Diamonds are Forever”

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

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

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

Russell Simmons Russell Simmons is looking to cash in on Hollywood's attempt to exploit the diamond trade in Africa. His attempt is rooted in the concept of “Conflict Free” Diamonds.

Proof of Russell’s Simmons Deal with DeBeers

“After meeting with President Festus Mogae, I am even more encouraged by his vision for the future of Botswana. The partnership between the government of Botswana and DeBeers can serve as a model for other extractive industries in Africa.”

Where are today’s Diamonds coming from?

Most of today’s diamonds are produced in nations in Africa and South America. However Canada is growing as a diamond producing nation.

70% of the World’s diamonds come from places where Africans are indigenous to the land.

WHY WHY WHY?Ask yourself, why then are African Nations perceived to be so poor?

AFRICA IS BEING ROBBED AND HAS BEEN FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.

DEBEERS, IN CONJUCTION WITH RUSSELL SIMMONS, ARE IN PART RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ROBBERY

ASK YOURSELF HOW?...

Cecil Rhodes

Bought the rights to two mines on the farm of :

Nicolas

and

Diedrick De Beer

in the Cape Colony (now South Africa).

Cecil Rhodes Cecil Rhodes, born

in 1853, played a major political and economic role in colonization of Africa. He was a financier, statesman, and empire builder with a philosophy of taking Africa for his own as portrayed in this political cartoon

Ernest Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer family still controls De Beers

JEWS CONTROL THE DIAMOND TRADE IN AFRICA

Started buying his own mines (Consolidated Diamond Mines)

Started competing with De Beers

Took over De Beers

Chairman in 1929

LET ME REITERATE

JEWS, IN PART, CONTROL THE DIAMOND TRADE IN AFRICA AND THE EXPLOTATION OF AFRICAN

RESOURCES

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Russell Simmons and Jay-Z do a PSA to combat anti-Semitism!!!

Jay-Z and Russell Simmons have teamed up to produce a public service announcement aimed at combating anti-Semitism.

What about Anti-Africanism!!!

What’s Jay-Z’s and Simmons interest in Anti- Semitism?

DeBeers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oppenheimer’s thinking was..

“The only way to increase the value of diamonds is to make them scarce, that is to reduce production”

His philosophy, along with the racist ideology that went along with Europeans like Rhodes, has created the environment in which the diamond trade exist today in Africa. This environment of exploitation exist in both “conflict” and “non-conflict” areas of Africa

The Illusion of Scarcity The price of diamonds depends on the

perception of scarcity. If diamonds are perceived as being rare, then diamond prices will remain high. If new diamonds flood the market, prices will plummet.

Until the 1870s, diamonds had only been found in river beds in India and Brazil. In the 1870s, however, large diamond deposits were discovered in South Africa, allowing unprecedented numbers of diamonds to enter the open market.

A group of diamond investors formed De Beers Consolidated Mines, Ltd. to help control diamond production, thereby perpetuating the illusion of scarcity.

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Pre-1870s 1870s Formation ofDe Beers

Total # of Diamonds Price Per Diamond

Illusion of Scarcity Through its enormous wealth, power, and influence,

De Beers is able to buy large amounts of diamonds whenever countries attempt to flood the market.

Because of De Beers, the price of diamonds has remained steady despite civil wars and conflict. The average diamond ring, for example, is marked up 100% to 200%.

Lining the pockets of those willing to exploit the continent of Africa

DIAMONDS ARE NOT SCARCE!!!! Places like Sierra Leon are so rich with

diamonds that you can run you fingers through the dirt and find diamonds.

Why then does this type of carnage take place?

DEBEERS!! The same company RUSSELL SIMMONS is making side deals with to sell diamonds from Botswana and South Africa

BUT WE UNDERSTAND THAT ALL DIAMONDS THAT DON’T BENEFIT THE MASSES OF AFRICAN (BLACK) PEOPLE ARE BLOOD DIAMONDS

Where are the World’s SO CALLED “Blood Diamonds”?

Many of the world’s diamonds are mined in African nations.

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

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

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT ALL DIAMONDS EXPLOITED FROM AFRICA ARE BLOOD DIAMONDS

Whether or not there is a WAR in the region where the diamonds are mined!!!!

Russell Simmons Simmons believes that his

diamonds will be better than Sierra Leone’s, but the truth is, as Malcolm X said, “If a man has a knife in your back six inches and takes it out two, he still has the knife in your back.”

The bottom line is DeBeers has made a fortune of the exploitation of African Resources. We need to take a stand against all forms of exploitation, even if its coming from Russell Simmons

Royalty and Diamonds Since Great Britain had an

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

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

The American Love Affair With Diamonds

Once diamonds have been cut and polished, they are sent to manufacturers who craft them into jewelry.

The United States is the largest market for diamond jewelry, buying up nearly half of the $56 billion in diamonds sold last year.

Almost all diamonds in the United States pass through the Diamond District in Manhattan before being sold to other retailers.

Diamonds Anyone? Current ad campaigns in the

United States are reaching out to new target audiences, including hip hop artists.

This is where Simmons comes in to play. His “job” is to disconnect us from the exploitation of African Resources and sell the people resources ripped from Africa.

DYING FOR DIAMONDSAfricans throughout the Diaspora are dying for diamonds one way or another, whether you are on the block, in the mine, or sitting in the board room. The entire cycle of destruction starts with the continent of Africa and ends with you.

What does the following suggest about the mining industry?

photoessay.url

ALL DIAMONDS ARE BLOOD DIAMONDS

AS LONG AS THE MASSES OF PEOPLE IN AFRICA ARE BEING EXPLOITED BY THE DIAMOND TRADE, WE NEED TO COMBAT THE EXPLOITATION OF COMPANIES LIKE DEBEERS

ConclusionWe must find an answer to this problem facing Africa and the Diaspora. It is essential to find other means of fulfilling our want to have jewels on our fingers or around our necks. As Kayne West said “Its in a Black man soul to rock that gold, spend his whole life trying to get that ice (diamonds).” My goal is not to rid the world of diamonds, but for Black people working in the interest of Black people to have control of their resources. Not elite diamond executives who make decisions for us. Self Determination is key for Black people around the world.

Nelson Mandela and South Africa We cannot not let our

historical figures like Russell Simmons and Nelson Mandela lead us to conclusion that will negatively affect Black people around the world

There back room deals with DeBeers have hurt enough!!

Mandela teams with Rhodes & DeBeers

De Beers has announced that it is to make a historic Rhodes Building in Wales Street, Cape Town, available to the Mandela Rhodes Foundation for use as the foundation's headquarters. The announcement was made to former President Nelson Mandela by De Beers chairman Nicky Oppenheimer. Speaking at the function, Oppenheimer said: "I am today fulfilling the promise made at the launch of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation earlier this year that De Beers would make accommodation available to the Foundation for use as its headquarters.

ALL DIAMOND ARE BLOOD DIAMONDS

As long the masses of people in Africa are not benefiting from the diamond trade in Africa then ALL the diamonds are blood diamonds. Even the ones that are being sold by our friends RUSSELL SIMMONS, JAY Z, or NELSON MANDELA in their so called “conflict free zones”.

RATIONAL FOR PRESENTATION This presentation is not designed to tear down the credibility of

Russell Simmons, Nelson Mandela, Jay Z, or any one who buys or wears diamonds. This presentation is to make the reader aware that the resources of Africa are being exploited on an everyday bases. Africa has been under attack for hundreds of years. The mere presence of most Black people in the West is evidence of the rape of Africa. The more we are aware of the facts that oppress the masses; we can contribute to the liberation of oppressed people around the world. I do not believe folks like Simmons, are purposely contributing to the demise of Africa and her children. Nor, do I think the reader is purposely contributing to the demise of Africa and her children. With that being said WE, as the children of Africa, need to do our best to preserve what is RIGHTFULLY ours.

SUMMARY

I am sure Kanye West had all the best intention with his hit single Diamond are Forever but the fact still remains

ALL DIAMONDS ARE BLOOD DIAMONDS!!!!!!

THANK YOU

The analyses in this PowerPoint was provided in part by the Uhuru Movement, its affiliate organizations, and Yibima Jamii.

Sources:

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/world/From%20Military%20Engagements%20to%20Engagement%20Rings.ppt#263,9,Easily Exploitable Resource

http://www.econ.umn.edu/~walrath/LargLec1101Fall05/GLChristosDeBeers.ppt

http://www.business.uiuc.edu/aguilera/Presentations%20LIR554/De%20Beers.ppt#263,16,Status of mine workers in South Africa and Botswana

http://bss.sfsu.edu/raquelrp/projects/Diamonds.ppt#266,9,Who Suffers from Diamond Mining?