'sleek,' not 'blood.'
The most deadliest conflict since WWII.
I have learned a little bit recently of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and believe I've shared a little of this. There's a lot of injustice going on there, I'm not one to comprehend and share this, but I will include articles and info from more reliable sources here. There are the three T's minerals - tin ore, tantalite, and tungsten - that are used in many electronics. Congo is very rich in this minerals and the power to mine them has gotten into the wrong hands and their extraction is a form and result of injustice. Armies are taking over farms and forcing adults and children into labor in the mines to retrieve these valuable resources. This is one example of the many injustices Congo is facing these days, as 5.4 million deaths since 2007 have occurred because of the war. These are also the same armies that are ravaging women with rape around the country as a form of civilian terrorism.
In regards to the United States, being ignorant of where the materials come from in our electronics is an indirect way to fuel this brutal war. Thankfully, there is a bill introduced by Washington representative Jim McDermott called The Conflict Minerals Trade Act that is asking electronic companies to be accountable for where their potentially conflict minerals are from. This would not solve the problem in Congo, but would help as consumers to be responsible and help do our part. Intel and Samsung are examples of companies starting to self-regulate where their suppliers obtain the minerals. As Nicholas D. Kristof says in an article, "What if we could harness that desperation for new technologies to the desperate need to curb the killing in central Africa?"
If anyone has seen Blood Diamond, you can understand the pressing nature of this conflict. Being educated in where our food comes from is valuable and catching on in our country well. It is important to know about our clothing, building materials, and electronics as well.
Below are some good resources about this conflict and how to help.
Raise Hope for Congo - initiatives of site dedicated to helping resolve conflict in DRC
Write to your U.S. Rep - a letter you can e-mail to your U.S. Representative so they know you want the Conflict Minerals Trade Act passed.
You heard, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.
Psalm 10.17-18.
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