The Marange case illustrates how conventional discourses on “conflict diamonds” not only obscure the complex nature of conflicts in contemporary capitalist accumulation processes they also risk contributing to new forms of structural violence. The article argues that advocacies against diamond certification as well as advocacies favouring certification both tended to overlook the interests of artisanal miners, focusing narrowly on certain forms of conflict while associating artisanal mining with illicitness. In a highly contested vote in 2009, the international government delegates who comprised the voting members in the Kimberley Process Certification System (KPCS) ruled that conflict in Marange did not meet the KPCS definitions of “conflict diamond.” The study examines discourses of key stakeholders in the multinational diamond industry, human rights organizations, policymakers as well as artisanal miners in Zimbabwe between 20.
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In 2006, a diamond rush in Marange drew in tens of thousands of artisanal miners from across Zimbabwe as well as foreigners, and the government initiated military crackdowns in 2008. Engaging critical literature on “conflict-free” corporate branding initiatives, the study focuses on representations of conflict in Marange, in Zimbabwe’s eastern highlands. Young felt that Skynyrd's implied criticism was deserved because his lyrics to “Alabama” were condescending and accusatory.This study examines the political uses of “conflict diamond” discourse in global debates about commodity certification and socially responsible mining in Zimbabwe. Young has expressed pride at being name-dropped in Skynyrd’s song and said in his book ‘Waging Heavy Peace’ that Skynyrd actually wrote "Sweet Home Alabama" not in response to "Southern Man," but in response to Young's song "Alabama" (from the ‘Harvest’ album). Young seems to advocate for reparations when he sings, “I saw cotton and I saw black, tall white mansions and little shacks/Southern Man, when will you pay them back?” Many fans feel that the song inspired Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” (“Well I heard Mister Young sing about her/Well I heard ol' Neil put her down/Well I hope Neil Young will remember/A southern man don't need him around anyhow”).
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In the lyrics, Young tells the story of a white man and how he mistreated his slaves. The song describes the racism towards Black people in the American South. He has discouraged vaccination in young people and children, incorrectly claimed that mRNA vaccines are “gene therapy,” promoted off-label use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 (contrary to FDA warnings), and spread a number of unsubstantiated conspiracy theories…This is not only a scientific or medical concern it is a sociological issue of devastating proportions and Spotify is responsible for allowing this activity to thrive on its platform.”Īnother one of Young’s most politically charged songs. The letter also mentions, “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Joe Rogan has repeatedly spread misleading and false claims on his podcast, provoking distrust in science and medicine. The letter read, in part, “By allowing the propagation of false and societally harmful assertions, Spotify is enabling its hosted media to damage public trust in scientific research and sow doubt in the credibility of data-driven guidance offered by medical professionals.” The episode resulted in hundreds of medical professionals and educators issuing an open letter to Spotify asking the platform to establish a policy on misinformation. Malone has been banned from Twitter due to spreading COVID-19 vaccine misinformation. Robert Malone on a Decemepisode of the podcast. The Joe Rogan Experience has come under fire multiple times during the coronavirus pandemic for spreading misinformation. He added, “I want you to let Spotify know immediately TODAY that I want all my music off their platform. Please act on this immediately today and keep me informed of the time schedule.”
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As previously reported, Young’s letter to his management stated, in part, “I am doing this because Spotify is spreading fake information about vaccines – potentially causing death to those who believe the disinformation being spread by them.