Blood Diamond Analysis
“The issue of “POVERTY” in developing countries plays an important role throughout the video “blood Diamond”. Discuss how the issue of poverty, using specific references, is fundamental to not only the conflict diamond trade but to life in the country of Sierra Leone”
Due to the high population growth in Sierra Leone, poverty remains widespread throughout the entire country. According to the human development index, Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world, which is why the diamond trade is such a large issue. Sierra Leone is among the largest producers of diamonds, thus being one of their largest sources of income. Large quantities of high quality diamonds have been mined from Sierra Leone since the mid 1930s. However, the majority of the country has remained in poverty due to its history of excessive violence, which mainly is caused by the possession of the diamonds and diamond mines. Many developing countries similar to Sierra Leone have civilians who have the “survival of the fittest” mentality, and will do whatever it takes to attain a diamond. A diamond, in reality can support a family for the rest of their lives which is why it is in such high demand in these countries. Sierra Leone‘s economy is extremely low, and it’s GDP is dismal in comparison to countries like America or Canada. Diamond exports play a large role in Sierra Leone’s economy, making approximately two thirds of the country’s total earnings from diamond exports alone. Not only does the diamond trade play a large role in poverty in Sierra Leone, as seen in the movie “Blood Diamond”, it also has a large contribution to the death toll. An estimation of 75,000 innocent people have so far been murdered because of this trade. It is accurately shown in the movie the gruesome reality of this horrific trade and the many innocent people who have lost their lives. Throughout the movie, you see the filth the people of Sierra Leone live in and the scarcity of food, shelter and money.
Due to the high population growth in Sierra Leone, poverty remains widespread throughout the entire country. According to the human development index, Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world, which is why the diamond trade is such a large issue. Sierra Leone is among the largest producers of diamonds, thus being one of their largest sources of income. Large quantities of high quality diamonds have been mined from Sierra Leone since the mid 1930s. However, the majority of the country has remained in poverty due to its history of excessive violence, which mainly is caused by the possession of the diamonds and diamond mines. Many developing countries similar to Sierra Leone have civilians who have the “survival of the fittest” mentality, and will do whatever it takes to attain a diamond. A diamond, in reality can support a family for the rest of their lives which is why it is in such high demand in these countries. Sierra Leone‘s economy is extremely low, and it’s GDP is dismal in comparison to countries like America or Canada. Diamond exports play a large role in Sierra Leone’s economy, making approximately two thirds of the country’s total earnings from diamond exports alone. Not only does the diamond trade play a large role in poverty in Sierra Leone, as seen in the movie “Blood Diamond”, it also has a large contribution to the death toll. An estimation of 75,000 innocent people have so far been murdered because of this trade. It is accurately shown in the movie the gruesome reality of this horrific trade and the many innocent people who have lost their lives. Throughout the movie, you see the filth the people of Sierra Leone live in and the scarcity of food, shelter and money.