Source: www.nobodysmiling.com

By: Melanie J Cornish

Hearing Kanye West sing about the illegal diamond trade that is present in the Western African country of Sierra Leone may have brought it to the attention of many; but until you sit and watch the short documentary 'Bling: Consequences and Repercussions' you have just no idea as to what destruction the 'girls best friend' is actually bringing to the country and its people. Directed and produced by Kareem Edouard, narrated by the legandary Chuck D the short documentary gives you as real an understanding of where the diamonds that adorn arms, fingers, necks, teeth and wrists really come from and it certainly doesnt resemble 47th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.

The main topic of the documentary is conflict diamonds, those diamonds that 'originate in areas that are controlled by factions opposed to legitimate and recognized governments.' The documentary shows in graphic detail the 'real' diamond district and it's people being killed, having limbs amputated by the rebel force of the RUF, Revolutionary United Front, which has maintained control of the country and has dominated the diamond fields since 1991. They have killed an estimated 50,000 - 75,000 people during their attack on civilization and securing control of the most diamond rich country (Sierra Leone) in the word. The United Nations etsimated that international diamond trading centers purchased $125 million dollars worth of diamonds from the RUF each year, which allows them to purchase weapons to maintain control over the dwindling population.

'Bling: Consequences and Repercussions' makes you sit and up and think. Hip-hop is dominated by diamonds, consumed by them, everyone trying to bling more than the next person. As the documentary comes to an end the closing comment from a young white kid is "Most rappers are black and they should be supporting those Africans that are being hurt because of diamonds." Funny how kids perceive reality. NobodySmiling.com will be talking with directer, producer Kareem Edouard, check for his interview later in the week.