open the eyes of my heart

[oxoheyyouoxo]

Tonight I saw "Blood Diamond" with Natasha and Jenny and never have I ever actually wanted to leave a movie until tonight. In the beginning, I could feel myself just knowing that I'd be looking forward to it ending and going to eat. After an hour, I checked my cell phone

Comments

hope for Africa?

[omahamercury]

This is indeed a very moving film that presents a very realistic picture of the lives of refugees who are totally dependent on international relief aid. It also shows what can happen to a nation when hope is lost. This is a very difficult film to watch but it is an important and I would even say necessary film in that it causes us to reflect on the choices that we make both on the personal level and that our elected officials make on our behalf. Most of us have no idea whatsoever the impact that our choices have on those in Africa whose lives are directly impacted by our choices. This film by Edward Zwick (who also made the films Glory and The Last Samurai) shows the human impact of the diamond trade. Here in America we had a chance a few years ago to do something significant to make the diamond trade more transparent and accountable to basic standards of human rights, but most American shoppers simply did not care. They certainly did not ask when they walked in to Kay Jewelers where their beautiful diamond earrings and engagement ring came from. Even today, with this film in theaters now most Americans only care about the price they have to pay on their credit card, not the human price that is paid by thousands in places like Liberia and Sierra Leon whose lives and whose hope are destroyed by our shopping habits and the companies we chose to support with our business...

You actually are doing more than you realize by working for Jeff and the Earth Institute. Jeff has done more to restore hope to more Africans than anyone else in my lifetime. If there is any hope to be found for Africa - it is that more people like you will care enough to get involved with people like Jeff who actually are bringing hope to those who need it most...