2006's Unfinished Agenda: Truth, Justice & Diamonds

Nas - Shine on Em (Blood Diamonds)

There are so many things I didn't get to this year that may or may not be addressed in 2007.  In particular, I'm disappointed not to have done more with Russell Simmons' Blood Diamond Campaign, though I imagine there's more to come.

Note to Russell Simmons:
Bottom line, don't tell us the Kimberley Process is working well enough and it's all good since you're trying to do positive things in Africa.  Show us how you're not only complying with the Kimberley Process but also how you're working to make it 100% effective.  Join with all the major human rights organizations who say that the Kimberley Process is not fully effective.  Maybe then we won't be looking so closely at the recent past revealed in the movie Blood Diamond to the not so long ago past and DeBeers' complicity in apartheid.

Nobody wants that.  Except for the survivors and the freedom fighters, of course!

Note to Ben Chavis:
You were once a mighty figure.  Please come back!

Note to Self:
You really should have written about 2006 as the Year of the Pig and done more to encourage the legalization of marijuana.

Following are some excellent responses and resources on the issue of conflict diamonds and Russell Simmons' apologetics for the diamond industry.

Hip hop writers respond to Russell Simmons
Annansi Chronicles:
African diamond facts according to Russell Simmons
The Couch Sessions:
Russell Simmons Fronts For DeBeers
Davey D:
Bad Blood, Blood Diamonds & Why I Disagree w/ Russell
The Rap Up:
Hip-Hop Is Dead
Notes from a Different Kitchen:
Why is Russell Simmons...

Basic resources related to conflict diamonds
Reuters AlertNet:
Diamonds and resource wars
Global Witness:
Combating Conflict Diamonds

Authors of Bling: The Hip-Hop Book:
Interview w/Reggie Oso and Gabriel Tolliver

Related Issue:
No Dirty Gold

Special thanks to Kofi Annan and Gabriel Tolliver for being in touch and sharing resources.

Previous ProHipHop Coverage:
Russell Simmons Helps Diamond Industry Get Ahead Of Leonardo DiCaprio's Blood Diamond Flick