What small things can we do at home to help the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

dbunton

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• Africa
• Democratic Republic of the Congo

As I lay in my bed last night, thinking about if I had made my difference in the world for the day, I could not help but to feel like I could do more. I decided to get involved with activism in the Congo as a result of my education on the issues of mining minerals in the area, and the effects the world's demand for such minerals contributes to the ongoing conflict in the region.

After several minutes of contemplating, I got out of bed and called a friend of mine. As an entertainment executive, I work with several artists who prefer to wear jewelry as part of their stage and public personas. There is one artists however associated with the company who refuses to wear gold, platinum, or any other precious metal that could have been mined and acquired by means that have contributed to the conflict in the Eastern Congo. Speaking with my associate, I shared with him how we as people and a company could make a difference outside of our lives and communities by enocuraging others to learn more about how the jewelry that we buy and wear hear in the US, impacts the lives of the citizens of the Congo.

This morning we are meeting to discuss how we can incorporate and deliver an "anti-conflict minerals" message with our influence in the urban hip hop community. There are many kids who look up to the artists who wear the gold chains and trunked jewelry. If more hip hop artists (society as a whole) were educated on the sources from which their jewelry comes, they would have more concern for the lives of the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We will do our part to ensure that we make a difference in the lives of the world community. Today, we take small steps. Steps that are miles away from the conflict that often worries us. Although such steps are in the comfort of our homes and communities, they are steps in the right direction for the people of the Congo. What small steps can members of this group do to have a big impact on the lives of the citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo?