Nigerian Stones

[VapidLapid]

I will no longer buy Nigerian stones

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/16/world/africa/mob-attacks-gay-men-in-nigerias-capital.html?hp

 

[Indylady]

I support that decision, and join you too.

From the outside, and as an outsider, I can't change another place or its people. Generally speaking, I don't think its my place to try to do that. But, in the case of human rights and homophobia, I do have strong feelings and often do as you have done, VL--withdrawing my support for that place.

But, does it do anything? Does the lack of money flowing into that country--in the big picture sense--reinforce homophobia? Perhaps money and education might change things; though my particular $$ for a gemstone might not achieve that directly, as a country gets wealthier, perhaps education and international trade will increase, and social values will i change, and perhaps homophobia will be lessened--perhaps. Plenty of wealthy countries have plenty of hate crimes too. How do I boycott each and every homophobic place?

In Bangladesh, its probably easier to get a Ted talk about animal rights than it is about gay rights http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shawn-ahmed/the-tedx-talk-youll-never-see_b_3961225.html Russia is hosting the Olympics.

India upholds a law forbidding homosexual activity http://www.ibtimes.com/indias-highest-court-upholds-gay-sex-ban-while-female-politician-blames-women-rape-1550584

Russia has a long history of homophobic violence http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/01/russia-rise-homophobic-violence

As do we, even now http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Hate-crime-charges-for-boy-in-Oakland-bus-attack-4965055.php

What do we do? I'm all ears.

Maybe we could publish an article--even a thread in CS--that highlights countries to source gems from that support human rights?

 

[Indylady]

Are there no other posters with an interest in human rights?

 

[Lady_Disdain]

But don't forget that the gas you use probably generates a lot more revenue for Nigeria than gems.

 

[Indylady]

But don't forget that the gas you use probably generates a lot more revenue for Nigeria than gems.

I probably should have clarified--an intersection of human rights and gemstones/diamonds.