Rapper Kanye West Hurts African Prospects – Just to Satisfy His Own Greed For Dollars
August 04, 05The American Civil War and the Sierra Leone Civil War have something in common: they were tragic, and many innocents were killed -- but they are both history. After the hostilities, the peoples united – determined to build a better future for all. The U.S.A. has since enjoyed a few centuries of nation and society building. In Sierra Leone that process has only recently begun in earnest. The nation has made enormous progress toward completing the post-conflict transition and successfully held local government elections. The erstwhile rebels (mainly frustrated, embittered, unemployed youth) have been reintegrated within the society. Though life expectancy is still only in the mid-thirties, though most people don’t make $1 per day and have little access to education, the country is making admirable steps forward. IMF and World Bank reports highlight the nation’s economic growth. The diamond sector is attracting public investments – and is developing. Donor organizations and private investors have confidence in the country, in its stability, in its sustainable democracy and its institutions.
And then, when finally a glimmer of hope for its some 5 million inhabitants is gaining momentum, when the world community finally ceases to view the country as a “failed state” but rather as a promising “emerging market”, this so-called rapper Kanye West discovered he can make lots of money by highlighting the miserable history of conflict diamonds as if they are as current as the underground bombs in London. Apologists for the rapper say that his single “Diamonds From Sierra Leone,” and its video highlighting the diamond trade industry in Africa is highlighting concern about social issues and the potential of diamonds to fuel conflict.
Kanye West’s video footage includes images of child amputees and of a woman receiving a diamond engagement ring that then begins to drip blood. Kanye includes an intro saying that he wants to ‘bring the issue of something called Conflict Diamonds to the world’s attention and for people to be conscious of where they purchase their diamonds’.
DIB has learned that a folder containing historic conflict diamond material explaining the Kimberley Process and the industry’s efforts to combat conflict diamonds has been submitted to Kanye West’s management team. This appears to have had some impact – during a recent TV show in the U.K. he apparently explained that he is aware of the measures being taken by the diamond industry and stated that people should not stop buying diamonds.
His song and abhorrent lyrics will not affect diamond jewelry sales – I am giving enough credit to the sophistication of consumers, even though the worldwide Diamond Information Centers (DICs) of De Beers have expressed concern over the high profile the song is gaining following radio airplay and MTV screenings.
I am worried about Sierra Leone – which has been an “easy pick” for Kanye West to make some money. It is a dishonest pick. Sierra Leone deserves to earn the recognition of the international community as a democratic west African nation, economically based on the principles of open borders and free trade, on private investments and private ownership of its mineral resources.
Kanye West wouldn’t make temporary music and video footage about Nazi-Germany or apartheid-South Africa. But if he would, these countries are today strong enough to shrug it off, merely noting the singer’s apparent ignorance of history. Free speech is highly valued – and we would be the first to defend West’s right to blurb out any lyrics. But someone needs to speak out for Sierra Leone which is, unfortunately, not strong enough yet to effectively prevent the damage to its image – an image that may hurt donor resolve, potential tourism, inward investments and, in more general terms, the repositioning of this country on the world map. Any economic damage to Sierra Leone immediately impacts the impoverished and the weak – those who Kanye West presumably has empathy with and wishes to help.
This is not the way to do it, Mr. West!