Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.....or are they?

Growing up, I thought diamonds were very beautiful and I liked the way that they glittered and sparkled in the light. When I was younger, I always dreamed of having my own diamond and awaited the day that I would get finally receive one when I got engaged or married.

Prior to ENGL 106, I wasn’t really aware of the wars in Africa and the problems that diamonds were causing. Definitely after reading A Long Way Gone, watching Blood Diamond, and reading articles on conflict diamonds, my feelings toward diamonds have altered. My desire for a diamond has greatly decreased and I have come to see that even though a diamond is technically really expensive and worth a lot, to me, the value of a diamond isn’t of great worth. A diamond is just a type of rock. If I really wanted something that looked like a diamond, I could simply just go to Claire’s and buy a ‘diamond’ ring for $5 and I would be satisfied.

Yes, I believe that the movie, songs, and practice of counter-storytelling are effective. People need to be informed of conflict diamonds. I think it was a great idea for Kanye West to write a song about the diamonds in Sierra Leone because numerous people like Kanye West and listen to his music. If people listened to this song and they actually paid attention to his lyrics, they would understand what he was talking about.

If I ever did receive a diamond, I would not be so wrapped up around the diamond and only focus on the diamond 24/7. If I did receive a diamond, I would not want to know if it was a conflict diamond. However, whenever I would look at it, the thoughts that it may have resulted in the deaths of many people would always be in the back of my mind. Also, I don’t think that I would give a diamond to anyone because I don’t think that I need to give people a diamond to show them that I love them.

The sad truth is that there really still are thousands of child soldiers fighting in this world

After seeing Blood Diamond, I was very angered to see how cruel the rebels were, that they would brainwash innocent children into becoming horrible killing monsters. The rebels would train the young children to shoot innocent people and behave in inappropriate ways. I do not think it should be legal for governments to force children to fight in wars. Making young children become involved in a war by forcing them to pick up guns and shoot innocent people, is totally outrageous.

I think the age of 20 is the age that someone is old enough to fight and understand what they are fighting for. At the age of 20, a person has probably graduated from high school and has experienced a little bit of college life. A 20-year-old is no longer a teenager and is experiencing more of an adult life. I think that at the age of 20, a person is mature enough to handle being involved in a war.

Consequences of children fighting in the war do not only affect the children themselves, but also their family and friends. At such young ages, children exposed to such violence and terror can traumatize and negatively affect their lives forever. They may have great difficulty in returning to a ‘normal’ life again. This is especially true if the children are ever forced to kill their own family and friends.

I think the most logical solution would be to stop all types of warfare, but of course that is not always a possibility. After watching Blood Diamond and reading A Long Way Gone, I am reminded of the song by the Black Eyed Peas called “Where is the Love?” I think the best part of the song that fits with this subject is:

It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane?
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong?
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone?
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong?
In this world that we livin' in, people keep on givin' in

Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love?

Time to get to know a little bit of JCo!

My name is Jessica and I am from Fort Wayne, Indiana. I am a freshman at Purdue majoring in Business Management, and my dream is to one day start my own craft business. I love to spend time with family and friends. In my spare time I enjoy watching movies, playing video games, and making crafts.

My favorite movies include You’ve Got Mail and The Italian Job. My favorite video games include racing and karaoke. I am a big fan of singing! When you get to be around me a lot, you will notice that I am either always singing or humming. The crafts I am the best at making consist of crocheting and jewelry making. I make my own jewelry and try to make all sorts of cool, unique designs. I enjoy listening to all types of music, but my favorites are Chinese, Christian, and Country. An interesting fact about me is that I can speak Chinese, but I can’t read or write it.

During the summer, I love to travel and go on road trips. In the past 2 summers, I have been on road trips to Yellowstone Park and to the Grand Canyon. I have also visited France and Taiwan. I enjoy observing other cultures and experimenting with new foods.

I am not a very talkative person so whenever other people first meet me, they think that I am a shy person. However when people get to know me, they realize that I am quite a loud and crazy person! I like being in classrooms with 20-40 people because it makes it more possible to get to know everyone in the class. I really like meeting new people and I can't wait to get to know all of you! :)