Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Diamonds

There’s Blood (Diamonds) in the Water
Inherited from Indian mythology, Romans believed that diamonds had the power to ward off evil. However, during the 1990s in Sierra Leone, diamonds---conflict diamonds specifically --- possessed the power of evil. Amnesty International USA, defines conflict diamonds in as “those sold in order to fund armed conflict and civil war.” Child labor, forced labor, the loss of limbs, and death are all too customary when working in these hazardous mines. After hearing of these horrendous events, American rapper-songwriter, Kanye West raises these issues with his Grammy-winning single, “Diamonds from Sierra Leone.” West convinces his audience through the eyes to buy conflict-free diamonds by pathos. He illuminates the injustice surrounding the precious gem. He expresses the eyes of innocence (or lack thereof) taken away through the trade of diamonds, the pressure of God’s fostering eyes, and the American eyes ignorance of humanitarian crisis.
In the beginning of West’s

masterpiece, it’s apparent that the video is shot in black and white to simultaneously symbolize wickedness innocence. The white displayed represents innocence, while black represents power and evil. As superior men bark orders in a diamond mine, the viewers see a child-worker turn around with abnormally large, wholly black eyes, that are demon-like. The eyes of the child represent the loss of innocence; the children have only been exposed to vice, so that is all they see. This provokes the reader’s emotion, making them feel a sense of sympathy and duty, exactly what West strives for. Also at the beginning of the video, there’s an aerial view of a mining tunnel with a light at the end. Meaning, there’s a chance of hope, to stop conflict diamonds.
To create a sense of morale, West alludes to one person who he believes is higher than us all: God. In one scene, viewers see a religious statue of a crucified Jesus surrounded by young children clinging to him. As the camera gets closer to the statue, the angle changes. It appears that Jesus is looking down, watching, as if the Son of Christ is disappointed and sorrowed by us: disappointed in the fact that we choose to turn a blind eye to these horrific events. The children clinging to Jesus are a symbol of the Sierra Leone children in the video. They’re begging for not only for his help, but for the audiences. This adds even more emotion from the /viewer, possibly making them feel a new obligation.
Moreover, readers are awoken with reality by connecting to our society today.

Americans today reside in a tiny bubble of blissful ignorance. In that bubble Americans disregard or refuse to hear/see anything not pertaining to us. If there’s not a crisis in their “bubble”, then there is no crisis. The song goes, “See, a part of me sayin’ keep shinin’ How? When I know of blood diamonds” West explains that he himself has struggled to confront his knowledge of blood diamonds and his desire of the gems. A part of him wants to keep his merriness and bling without worry, yet he’s conscience that there’s injustice going on. Americans choose not to see because we don’t need to. Satisfied with their current knowledge, why would they want to know more? While having easy access to knowledge, it’s unfortunate that many choose not to know. However, after viewing and analyzing West’s masterpiece, viewers are informed not only of Sierra Leone, but their unconscious

decisions.

Ultimately, West’s use of pathos is creative and clearly effective. As he walks away from the camera, emotions are stirred and brains are more informed. West seeks that the bubbles of blissful ignorance be popped, and the prayers be answered. He ends with a simplistic statement: “Please purchase conflict-free diamonds.” The answer is plainly written for us in black and white. God is watching and waiting. All that’s left to do is open the eyes.