1) Brainstorm how diamonds have traditionally been portrayed in American culture in magazines, advertisements, movies, songs, music videos and popular ideology
It has been portrayed in so many ways that everyone thinks dimonds are something easy and nice to get I never really knew were dimonds came from till i watched the movie Blood dimonds but movies and magazines and music videos they make dimonds seem so easy to get and they look great but in the other side theres people dieing becouse of them and are selfish needs they advertise it like its nothing because were not the ones working to make dimonds what it is today. 

2)  Do you think the movie will change the way consumers think about diamonds? Will it make some people stop buying diamond jewelry? Why or why not?
I do think it will change some peoples views and perspectives in dimonds the movie really shows and teaches a lot when i watched the movie I didnt want to get anymore dimonds but there are people out there that doesnt care what it takes as long as they get it thats all that matters some people in this world just care about them selfs and looking good they dont know the after look intill there in that same sittuation. But i think that people are still going to buy them for they need not nowing the pain and misery there bringing to others. 

Compare and contrast the message of the video and the message of the lyrics.
When it comes to Kanye West, his video doesn't match up with his lyrics Because in the video all he's doing is basically reprsenting his record label which is roccafella andthe hand signal he uses is a diamond. They both compare to each other because they both have african peoplein it the song talks about them and the video shows them. The lyrics talk about both then what the video shows.

How does Nas's message diff from Kanye's? What effect do you think these songs will have on consumers?
In Kanye's video it's about keeping his diamonds even though he knows what people are going through to get them. Nas's song is more about the strugle people go through to have these diamonds ( everyone wants heaven but nobody wants dead everyone wants diamonds without the bloodshed) that is Nas's words about the situation going on so Nas's is more about helping the sitation then Kanye is. I think that the comsumers would like Kanye's song more then Nas's song Because his song talks about how people go through the struggle of getting diamonds and in Kanye's song he doesnt explain how they suffer like Nas's song does.

Assignment #3:

1)      Brainstorm how diamonds have traditionally been portrayed in American culture in magazines, advertisements, movies, songs, music videos and popular ideology.
2)       Consider how advertising affects consumer purchasing decisions and answer the following question: Do you think the movie will change the way consumers think about diamonds? Will it make some people stop buying diamond jewelry? Why or why not?
 
1.      Diamonds have been portrayed as something that will never die and that means more than words. When a man gives a woman a ring he is basically expressing his undying love for her.  Its an expression of love and commitment. Through different forms of entertainment diamonds have been viewed as something that is a way of also showing economic status. The more diamonds you have the more people will think that you are rich and that you are very well off in society. The basic ideology is that depending on what you physically have on depicts and determines what kind of a person you are. That is something that has grown in society as the years have gone by.

2.      There was once an advertising done by the DeBeers company saying that A Diamond is Forever. This advertising changed the way people viewed diamonds. If someone were trying to express a love that they considered to be everlasting they would automatically look to buy a diamond. This movie, though, will definitely make a lot more people think twice before they go and purchase a diamond. But I dont think that it would get to the point that people would stop purchasing diamonds. It was said that only about 3% of the diamonds brought into the United States are actually Conflict Diamonds. So even though many people would not be in agreement with the treatment that so many Africans go through in trying to produce diamonds, since the percentage is so low most people would look over it. The 97% of diamonds being made the legal way would catch the attention of most people. But I do think that places that sell jewelry will be directly affected by this movie and the message that it is trying to bring across. The truth is that even though only 3% of those conflict diamonds actually get to the US, there are still thousands of Africans who are constantly dying even today so that those 3% get to the US. There is a lot more that we dont see. Even though many wont stop purchasing diamonds it is something that will stick with you and will be on your mind when you are purchasing the diamonds, no doubt about it.

1) gather 10 facts concerning child soldiers in countries around the world



1.The majority of the world's child soldiers are involved in a variety of armed political groups
2. Most child soldiers are aged between 14 and 18.
3. The problem in Africa is that there is up to 100,000 children with some as young as 9 that were invovled in armed conflict in 2004.
4.Children are forcibly recruited into armed groups but alot of the majority of child soldiers are adolescents between 14 and 18 who volunteer to join.
5.Children invovled in armed conflict are frequently killed or injured during combat.
6.The children are ALMOST ALWAYS treated brutally such as beatings and humiliating treatment.They get punished for mistakes
7.Girl soldiers are particularly at risk of rape and sexual harassment and abuse and they could be invovled in combat .
8.In some countries forcible abductions still occur and they take a large number of children
9.Africa has the largest number of child soldiers
10.Over the last 10 years hundreds of thousands of children have fought and died in conflicts around the world 


2) explain 3 actions that can be taken by us now to help stop children from being kidnapped, brutalized, brainwashed and used as soldiers anymore. 
1.  i think one action that can be taken by us now is try to get those child soldiers out of Africa and wherever they are and try to help them.
2.We could give Africa money so that they could tyr to help the kids
3.We could go into africa and KILL all the people that are  kiddnapping these kids and making them child soldiers

1. The use of children as soldiers has been universally condemned as abhorrent and unacceptable
   
2. Over the last ten years hundreds of thousands of children have fought and died in conflicts around the world.
3. Children involved in armed conflict are frequently killed or injured during combat or while carrying out other tasks
4. They are forced to engage in hazardous activities such as laying mines or explosives, as well as using weapons
5. Child soldiers are usually forced to live under harsh conditions with insufficient food and little or no access to healthcare.
6. They are almost always treated brutally, subjected to beatings and humiliating treatment.
7. Punishments for mistakes or desertion are often very severe.\
8. Girl soldiers are particularly at risk of rape, sexual harassment and abuse as well as being involved in combat and other tasks.

9.The majority of the world's child soldiers are involved in a variety of armed political groups. These include government-backed paramilitary groups, militias and self-defence units operating in many conflict zones. Others include armed groups opposed to central government rule, groups composed of ethnic religious and other minorities and clan-based or factional groups fighting governments and each other to defend territory and resources.
10. Most child soldiers are aged between 14 and 18, While many enlist "voluntarily" research shows that such adolescents see few alternatives to involvement in armed conflict. Some enlist as a means of survival in war-torn regions after family, social and economic structures collapse or after seeing family members tortured or killed by government forces or armed groups. Others join up because of poverty and lack of work or educational opportunities. Many girls have reported enlisting to escape domestic servitude, violence and sexual abuse

Assignment # 1
 1) Brainstorm how diamonds have traditionally been portrayed in American culture in magazines, advertisements, movies, songs, music videos and popular ideology by viewing the gallery.

Diamonds have traditionally been protrayed in America culture,magazines,aderterisements,movies,music,and songs because in magazines they flaunt jewerly and diamonds like its easy to come by and afford. Not everybody has the money to buy diamonds like most rappers.In videos rappers rap about jewelery,diamonds, and money. They show off these things because these people got money.


2) Consider how advertising affects consumer purchasing decisions and answer the following question: Do you think the movie will change the way consumers think about diamonds? Will it make some people stop bs uying diamond jewelry? Why or why not?

I think consumers will change their thought about diamonds, and definitely not take them for granted like most wealthy people like rappers. I think people will continue to still buy diamonds regaurdless what they hear because their beautiful. Each year people spend a lot of money on diamonds even though people have died from them.

 
1)     up to 100,000 children, some as young as nine, were estimated to be involved in armed conflict in  2004, this problem is most critical in Africa.
2)     Children are also used as soldiers in many Asian countries and in some parts of Latin America, Europe and the Middle East.
3)     The majority of the world's child soldiers are involved in a many  of armed political groups. These include government-backed paramilitary groups, militias and self-defence units operating in many conflict zones.
4)     Most child soldiers are aged between 14 and 18.
5)     Many girls have reported enlisting to escape domestic servitude, violence and sexual abuse.
6)     Forcible abductions, sometimes of large numbers of children, continue to occur in some countries.
7)     Girls usually fulfil multiple roles, While they are frequently recruited and used for sexual purposes, they are also involved in other military tasks, including combat, laying explosives, and performing domestic tasks.
8)     Physically vulnerable and easily intimidated, children make obedient soldiers
9)     Some seek escape from poverty or join military forces to avenge family members who have been killed.
 These children are denied a childhood and often subjected to horrific violence, approximately 200,000 to 300,000 children are serving as soldiers for both rebel groups and government forces in current armed conflicts.

Assignment two

1) What is a conflict diamond?
 A conflict diamond are gems that are illegally sold to fund civil wars and rebel conflicts

2) What is the movie Blood Diamond about?
The movie Blood diamond is about when rebels took control and profited from the countrys vast diamond mines.
3) According to human rights groups, are conflict diamonds still a problem today?
Yes they say diamond funded conflicts persists in other african countries such as Liberia and Cote D' Ivoire.
4) What actions did the World Diamond Council take before the movie's release?
Before the movie was released the World Diamond Council launched a multimillion dollar public relations campaign in anticipation of the movies release.They took out full page ads in major newspapers and launched a web site describing strides taken to reduce the impact of conflict diamonds.

5) Which country purchases the greatest amount of diamonds and which continent produces the most?
 The country that purchases the greatest amount of diamonds is the United States they purchase two thirds of the worlds diamonds.The contrinent that produces the most is Africa

6) What is the Kimberley Process?
 The Kimberley process  is   something thatrequires diamond shipments to be accompained by certificates stating they were not mined in countries at war.


7) Why is it hard to determine how successful the Kimberley Process is?
Its hard to determine how successfl the kimberley processis because there is still diamond smuggling
8) What does the director of Blood Diamond hope the movie will do?
THe director of blood diamond hopes the movie will help people think about what there doing when buying diamonds and how many peopel die from diamonds in Africa and there supporting warr in africa

10 FACTS:
 

1.)    an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 children are serving as soldiers for both rebel groups and government forces in current armed conflicts.

2.)    These young combatants participate in all aspects of contemporary warfare.

3.)    AK-47s and M-16s on the front lines of combat, serve as human mine detectors, participate in suicide missions, carry supplies, and act as spies, messengers or lookouts.

4.)    As society breaks down during conflict, leaving children no access to school, driving them from their homes, or separating them from family members, many children perceive armed groups as their best chance for survival.
5.)    .Since 2001, the participation of child soldiers has been reported in 21 on-going or recent armed conflicts in almost every region of the world.
6.)     Children are most likely to become child soldiers if they are poor, separated from their families, displaced from their homes, living in a combat zone or have limited access to education.

7.)    Many children join armed groups because of economic or social pressure, or because children believe that the group will offer food or security. Others are forcibly recruited, "press-ganged" or abducted by armed groups.

8.)    Both girls and boys are used as child soldiers. In some countries, like Nepal, Sri Lanka and Uganda, a third or more of the child soldiers were reported to be girls. In some conflicts, girls may be raped, or given to military commanders as "wives.
9.)    At any one time, more than 300,000 of these children are actively fighting as soldiers with government armed forces or armed political groups. "

10.)  Often recruited or abducted to join armies, many of these children - some younger than 10 years old - have witnessed or taken part in acts of unbelievable violence, often against their own families or communities.

 
 3 actions that can be taken by us now to help stop children from being kidnapped, brutalized, brainwashed and used as soldiers anymore. 
 

1.)    Raise money so that way children dont have to.

2.)    Keep them away from violence

3.)    Keep their own children protected and aware of their surroundings at all times

 assignment # 3) continued

3 actions that could be used by us now to help stop children from being kidnapped, brutiliazed,brainwashed and used soliders anymore the U.S can stop its trade and stop the buying of diamonds in those countries.
We can stop sending them money .We can help the people whove been brainwashed and reunited them with there families and relatives.We can help the children whove been kidnapped and get our troops to search for them and when or if their found we can punish the people who did the abductions.

Assignment #5:  View the Kanye West video "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" (available for download at http://www.mtv.com/#/music/artist/west_kanye/videos.jhtml) on mute.  Evaluate the message of the images in the video. Read the lyrics to the song (http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/kanyewest/diamondsfromsierraleoneremix.html)  and evaluate the message of the lyrics. Compare and contrast the message of the video and the message of the lyrics. Also read the lyrics to the song "Shine On 'Em" by Nas (available for download at http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/blooddiamond/shineonem.htm and www.blooddiamondaction.org). How does Nas's message differ from Kanye's? What effect do you think these songs will have on consumers?

 the lyrics in the two songs are pretty much about the same thing. in fact, it IS about the samething. the only thing is Nas is focused on only the blood diamonds and that subject .kaynes looses me in his song. he talksa bout like seven things at once. its wastwo confusing and didnt make sence tom e. nas' song made moresence to me.

it hink that it will really effect the other wrappers too.i mean they'llsit down and think about how horrible the blood diamonds are and everything. i also think its gunna be bad for the bussinessof dimonds but honestly its good thatpeople no this.

Diamonds have been portrayed as a symbol of love and fedelity.  Women all around the world want a diamond for when they get married, and women all over the world like to look pretty.  Jewlary is just a way to lavish yourself i guess.  magazines show how pretty they are and they are really pretty and advertizments show a man and woman walking and him proposing with a diamond ring and they say "A diamond is forever" when it is just simply a rock.  and in movies you always see someone wearing at least one diamond and music videos everyone is "BLINGING" and they talk about how iced they are and all that.


I think the movie may have an effect, but i'm not too confident in it making a huge effect because not everyone cares and not everyone is that consceince of what is happeneing.

assignment 3 continuted
 3 actions are
1. we can try to pull as many children soilders and bring them back to their normal state of mind and get them homes.
2 we can try to capture thier adult leaders and keep these children contained so their able to get to thier normal self again.
3 we could set up a big big (very big) biulding like 13 acres big and bring them thier and help a certian amount at a time  to get them on thier feet and with families show them american customs and successful!.

Assignment #3:

1)      Gather 10 facts concerning child soldiers in countries around the world and
2)      Explain 3 actions that can be taken by us now to help stop children from being kidnapped, brutalized, brainwashed and used as soldiers anymore. 
 

:10 Facts:

1.      Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka often disregard the rights of children even though children make up almost 40% of the population in those countries. This neglect results in the continuous abuse the children receive in these countries.

2.      The main ways of abuse that are given to the children in these three areas range from bonded labor to even sexual trafficking.

3.      Children are often forced into the work labor because of poverty and lack of necessities in the household they are in. Lack of food is something that is almost common among most of the population living in these areas.

4.      The state often permits sexual trafficking and sexual slavery because of the lack of protection all around these areas.

5.      In Southeast Asia there are about 21.6 million children that are in the labor force between the ages of 5 and 14 and that is because of the massive poverty that goes on in these areas. In Bangladesh almost 7.9 out of 35 million children work, In Nepal 1.6 out of 6.2 million children work, and in Sri Lanka almost 475,000 out of 3.18 million children work. In all of these three countries most of the labor is forced and the children are kept in bondage while they are working.

6.      In Sierra Leone, the worlds worst recording of children soldiers was found. Between 1996 and 1997 in the major war that was going on between the RUF and Government Forces recorded that almost 60% of the 1,000 fighters were children.

7.      The CDF (Civil Defense Forces) leader, Mr. Zangalawya, was once quoted to have said that they couldnt trust adults in those areas because they have violated the rules of ruling the militia and are often killed much quicker by the enemy. This is why they turn to children because most children will listen a lot more and do what they are told.

8.      Most of the children that are forced to join rebel groups are often drugged with cocaine and hard drugs and often abused into doing their jobs. Most of the rebels are children under 14 and who have been under the influence of drugs and alcohol that have been given to them. They are often put on the front line during the conflicts and are given guns that are bigger than them so that they can feel that they have the power.

9.      Over eighty countries around the world use children in combat. The children participating in the war are forced to work with AK-47s and M-16s. Many must participate in suicide missions, on the front line of combat, as spies and to carry supplies that are used in combat.

10.  Many of the children that are either recruited or are abducted into participating in combat are as young as 10 years old. Many children are previously drugged and used in performing very terrible things against their own families as a way of showing commitment to the group. Many of the girls are used for sexual purposes and often gang-raped. There is still no accurate number to determine how many children are really used in combat but the number is extremely high.

Assignment: 3

1.In over twenty countries around the world, children are direct participants in war.
2.Denied a childhood and often subjected to horrific violence, an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 children are serving as soldiers for both rebel groups and government forces in current armed conflicts.
3.These young combatants participate in all aspects of contemporary warfare. They wield AK-47s and M-16s on the front lines of combat, serve as human mine detectors, participate in suicide missions, carry supplies, and act as spies, messengers or lookouts.
4.Physically vulnerable and easily intimidated, children typically make obedient soldiers.
5.Many are abducted or recruited by force, and often compelled to follow orders under threat of death. Others join armed groups out of desperation.
6.As society breaks down during conflict, leaving children no access to school, driving them from their homes, or separating them from family members, many children perceive armed groups as their best chance for survival.
7.Others seek escape from poverty or join military forces to avenge family members who have been killed.
8.Thousands of children were recruited by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) during Nepal's 10-year civil war.
9.Children served on the front lines, received weapons training, and carried out crucial military and logistical support duties for the Maoists.
10.Even after signing a comprehensive peace agreement with the government in November 2006, the Maoists continued to recruit children and refused to release children from their forces.

Assignment 1

1.Diamonds have been portrayed in many different ways. They have been known to be worn as jewelry.  The bigger the diamond the better in every case.  It shows that you have money.  Buying someone a diamond that is big would mean so much than a diamond not as big.
2. When this is advertised on videos some people feel they have to have it.  Kids want to wear what their favorite artists are wearing. Teens want to be noticed with big diamonds.  It's the reason why there is little to no effect with this movie on purchasing diamonds.

Assignment 5

In Kayne West's song he explains what it was like and why diamonds aren't just diamonds.  He showed what they went through in more detail than Nas. He gave a better description.  Nas told the story and if I had not seen the movie I would have no idea what he's talkin about.  That is why I liked Kayne's West's "Diamonds are Forever" over Nas's "Shine on em".

Compare and contrast the message of the video and the message of the lyrics. Also read the lyrics to the song.

In Kayne West and Jay-Z lyrics he states that diamonds are basically everything. He says how all these black people died just for a piece of gold, and how they will always be around. For example, kayne says:
Though it's thousands of miles away
Sierra Leone connect to what we go through today
Over here, its a drug trade, we die from drugs
Over there, they die from what we buy from drugs
The diamonds, the chains, the bracelets, the charmses
I thought my Jesus Piece was so harmless
'til I seen a picture of a shorty armless
And here's the conflict
It's in a black person's soul to rock that gold

How does Nas's message differ from Kanye's?

Nas


What effect do you think these songs will have on consumers?

assignment #5

How does Nas's message differ from Kanye's?
Nas's lyrics differ from Kayne because Nas talks about blood diamonds and the struggles, more specifically. Kayne talks about the value of a diamond and the struggles that occured trying to get a diamond.


What effect do you think these songs will have on consumers?
Hopefully, they will get the picture about the struggles of a diamond in Africa.It will make them think twice. It will make tyhem realize more about the struggles people went through. I know people will continue to buy them, but they will definetily see the value more in diamond, knowing people died for them.

Assignment 2 

1.      Most of the children are told lies, that there fighting will be temporary and that they will be able to go to school.

2.      An estimated 33,000 children were fighting for armed groups at the heights of Congo 1998-2003 war.

3.      Nearly four years after the official end to the conflict, some 4,000 children still remain active in army bridges, local militia and foreign rebel groups mainly in the volatile east, according to the United Nations

4.      The United Nations accuses five new government army brigades of hiding more than 300 children and sending some into combat, an act human rights campaigners say constitutes a war crime

5.      In some cases child soldiers are grouped together and hidden. But underage fighters are also coached by their commanders to say they are over 18, Van Woudenberg said.

6.      In January, the Hague-based International Criminal Court decided there was enough evidence to put Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga on trial for recruitment and use of child soldiers, making his the first case to go before the new body.

7.      The creation of the five so-called mixed brigades was part of a scheme to integrate thousands of fighters loyal to renegade General Laurent Nkunda and end their near three-year campaign against government forces

8.      The names of 225 of the at least 400 child soldiers that are part of the rebel groups ranks were given to UNICEF by the rebel army last week, on May 17th, and this is just the beginning of the process. 

9.      According to UNICEFs Representative for the country, Mahimbo Mdoe, only 14 per cent of children attend school in the most conflict-ridden zones, and less than 50 per cent are in school nation-wide

On Thursday, UNICEF announced that negotiations have started with rebel armed groups in the northeast of the Central African Republic for child soldiers to be released and returned to their families.

Ashley, I agree with your comments on the differences between the Nas and Kanye songs and messages.  Good Job!!!!

dimonds everyone wants them people usually buy them for someone they care about a girlfriend to a boyfriend a husband to wife and so on dinonds are very popular with artist and singers they always talk about waering dimonds and haveing dimonds on , i think diminds show that u have money thats why alot of people want them also becasue a dinond goes good with everything, dimonds you can buy anywhere but it coast alot of money dimonds make people feel more important higher in class it makes them feel as they fit in as they are somone in a higher postition dimonds have been around for years and they will continue to develope more and more and make more and more money.

  i do not think that the movie will affect all people because dimonds are beatiful they look good with everything either a guy or a girl so now i think some people might look at the situation different but especially rappers and singers they will just see it as what ever they buy what they want what they think is good theu dont care if its bad or good if it showing they have money then they dont care at all but how ever they should not look at it like that but they do, there notting sociey or a movie can do to change that it can  only show a different side to it and sometimes people are not that conviced

updated - Many of you did not choose 3 of the 5 assignments, but only did one instead.  Rememeber, they are worth 30 points each.

shallyn wrote:

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 assignment # 3) continued

3 actions that could be used by us now to help stop children from being kidnapped, brutiliazed,brainwashed and used soliders anymore the U.S can stop its trade and stop the buying of diamonds in those countries.
We can stop sending them money .We can help the people whove been brainwashed and reunited them with there families and relatives.We can help the children whove been kidnapped and get our troops to search for them and when or if their found we can punish the people who did the abductions.

---

To whom are we going to stop sending money?

What is a conflict diamond?
A conflict diamond is a gem that is illegally sold to fund civil wars and rebel conflict.
What is the movie blood diamond about?
The movie is about the rebels who took control in the 1990s in Sierra Leone.
According to human rights groups, are conflict diamonds still a problem today?
According to human rights groups, conflict diamonds are still a problem in this world today. Its just that not a lot of people are aware of it.
What actions did the world diamond council take before the movies release?
Before the movie can out the council launched a multimillion-dollar public relations campaign in anticipation of the release of the movie.
Which country purchases the greatest amount of diamonds and which continent produces the most?
The Central African Republic purchases the greatest amount of diamonds and Africa is the continent that produces the most.
What is the Kimberley Process?
The Kimberley Process requires diamond shipment to be accompanied by certificates stating they were not mined in countries at war.
Why is it hard to determine how successful the Kimberley Process is?
People who end up smuggling diamonds anyway make it hard to determine how successful the Kimberley Process really is.
What does the director of blood diamond hope the movie will do?
The director of Blood Diamond hopes to make more people aware on this issue. Also to let people know that this is a huge problem that needs to be dealt with.

 
 
Brainstorm how diamonds have traditionally been portrayed in American culture in magazines, advertisements, movies, songs, music videos
 
 
Diamonds are portrayed as a sign of social status in American culture. Diamonds in magazines are usually worn by the rich crowd and are the cool thing to have if you have money. Advertisements for diamonds are usually shown as a man giving it to a woman, being in love. In songs that always talk about their diamond chain and what not and in videos they usually flash these diamonds.
 
 
Do you think the movie will change the way consumers think about diamonds? Will it make some people stop buying diamond jewelry? Why or why not?
 
I believe that the movie will change some peoples ways on buying diamonds but not all. It may not stop those people with a higher social status from buying them because they are rich and they get what they want. Some people may think twice before considering a diamond but if you want a diamond then know matter what your still gonna try your hardest to purchase it.