Blood Diamond

I just finished watching the movie Blood Diamond. I was extremely impressed with the movie! The acting was great, the story was original and well thought out, and the plot was excellent! There are alot of layers to the movie and I'm still thinking about it and unpacking parts of it but it is my recommendation to any serious movie goers out there...go see this movie!

Although after watching it I experienced a variety of emotions, anger, depression, excitement, and restlessness.

I was angry because this move came out in 2006. Why didn't it come out 3-4 years ago when conflict diamonds where cutting edge news? Why did Hotel Rwanda come out 15 years after the killings & the conflict? Are we going to wait 10 years from now to do a movie on Darfour?

I was depressed because I have been to Africa. I was in cote d'ivore for a couple weeks about 10 years ago. You don't forget visiting third world countries. You shouldn't. There are sights and experiences there we don't have here in America. I am sure many of the people watching the movie with me thought most of this was just a hollywood story or a super idea but over hyped with drama & hollywood stars and therefore it couldn't be real. I haven't been back in 10 years but I follow stories in the news (usually BBC has more information & better coverage). I know most everything in that movie really happened or was inspired by similar events in Africa.

I was excited because a friend of mine has aspirations of one day living & working in Africa in a humanitarian relief organization. He is going through medical school and has already completed one medical missions trip to an african country and has signed up to do another on. It is exciting to know there are people who are using their skills, degree, and education to help others in another country instead of living here and making a ton of money here in America. Nothing wrong with making lots of money and doing well with one's skills & education. I uphold my friends heart for others above what money he could make here in the US as selfless and noble. I wish I could do the same.

I was restless because I want to do something! I want to help Africans who are affected by the senseless injustices of war, genocide, poverty, and HIV. I'm restless because just watching a movie about genocide and injustice doesn't sit well with me. I am restless because on some level I am aware I can't do much to help those Africans. I can send money, I can pray, I can talk to people about the situation, I can join Amnesty International or sponsor a child through some third world relief agency and those are all EXCELLENT things to do but it doesn't seem like it's enough. As a free man in one of the world's richest countries I want to do more to help and be a part of the solution to what is going on in regards to suffering & injustice in Africa and other parts of the world, but it seems like I can't. AND THAT is what is frustrating.