Beyonce and her blood diamond

[debbrianna]

The diamonds are not hers but it belongs to jewellers Tiffany and co featured in a Beyoncé and jay ad for Tiffany as the new brand ambassadors.

What I am finding really interesting about this whole debate, is the fact that no one mentioned this diamond was blood diamond when lady Gaga or any of the two other white women wore it. Gaga was in fact praised for having the most expensive read carpet look at the oscars, with lots of funny stories to tell. How cute it all was and so on.

I personally do not have issues with lady Gaga wearing the neckless, the same applies to Beyonce. What I do currently hate, is the new bread of black anti-capitalist who only have time for other black people. Miss placed energy most of the time. They are attacking the few who do more for them compared to a lot of white people they seem not to care about. To be honest I didn't know who Basquait was until this week. In away, this ad has probably been a positive for the artist critics complained Jay-z is capitalising on. (apparently he is fan and owns his art work)

Unless your ring is grown in a lab 99% of the time your diamond is blood diamond. I would have put 100% but I will give it that 1%. Any one using a smart phone has contributed to human suffering and salve labour and by default we are all no better.

I was disappointed in them for doing this advert. As someone with Sierra Leonean heritage I'm very aware of the issues around diamonds. With their profile, they could work with any brand in the world so it seems a shame that they're choosing this one, especially as the diamond in question has some problematic origins.

It's also a bit conflicting to see the Basquiat painting used here given that his estate would've signed it off, not the artist himself and Tiffany seems like it would go against a lot of what he stood for. But from what I know about him, he had become a bit more part of the institution towards the end of his life anyway. It does feel a bit jarring that this old conservative brand is trying to make itself more relevant off the back of a marginalised artist though.

I could probably go on, but it does seem a strange brand alignment for me. And I know that Beyonce and JayZ do a lot to showcase other black artists/businesses etc. I think where I agree with you is that when black people become successful they can't just do it for themselves, they are seen to have more of a 'duty' to uplift other black people and that can be an emotional burden (thinking of lots of brilliant professionals I know who do crazy amounts of work, mentoring, side projects, send money back home etc) and there isn't the same expectation (IMO) on well off white people to do that.

I think it depends in regards to brand alignment. This would apply to allot of europen/American brands if we were to look at any of their history..

Tiffany apparently has cleaned up its image in regards to where it sources it diamonds.

Lipita and Elis Ross both have been ambassadors recently too. Praises only for landing such a role..

In regards to Basquait, from what I come across recently, his only issue with capitalism was the fact that people like him where not making enough money or being looked at the same way like his closes friend Andy Warhol.

When his art started to doing well, he only wore versace. He did come across like an interesting character with whom I am now happy to go and read more about. Hopefully there will be a movie. If they haven't made one already.

There is a 1996 movie called "Basquiat" starring Jeffrey Wright as the title character (and David Bowie as Warhol).

Below is link from TED EDUCATE about his life if anyone is interested.

As the think pieces begin, here is one. I truly understand what they are saying. I agree with it. My only issue is the selectiveness. Also, they do mention jay-z and his connection to the NFL. Jay z does state that his reason for joining the NFL which was to try and change things from the inside becuase from the outside had not been working.

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/08/26/beyonce-tiffanys-blood-diamonds-necklace/

Basquiat was an accessible black guy with amazing talent. I wish I lived in NY 30 years just so I could hang out with him.

Of course JZ owns his art, that means nothing though. JZ owns things that appreciate in value, that's that really.

I have been let down by this couple very often in the past and I have a very long memory. I have never been a fee paying fan for either, so they wouldn't care, but they provoke mixed feelings. They get their money in some unfortunate ways, but I do feel they spend it well for the black US community when they do spend it for them. I think in old age they will be major social philanthropists, when they have no more need to sell themselves as a couple they will be more free to put their money where it will hurt some backward racist people.

More money to them.