VISIONS OF BEAUTY (part 2) / DAY 5 -- NO DIRTY GOLD Campaign

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photocourtesysebastianalvarez/imagrafica

Peeps,

The allure it holds for us will probably never subside, and throughout the centuries the attraction has scarcely diminished.  Indeed, many nations have based their economies on the amassing, distribution, and scrupulous account-keeping of this valuable commodity; valuable only in that it is desired, quantified, and thus of worth.  In its raw, unprocessed state, it is unlikely that persons could nourish or nurture upon it, and as yet any alleged life-saving properties elude patent.  In the realm of nature, it is but a minor component of the earth's composition, yet in society, we thrill and quiver at the very notion of ownership.  Yet, lately, we've began to realize that something is amiss, and that the dream could well be a nightmare clothed in shiny robes.

Gold mining and extraction is a not a glamorous business, and far removed from the tempting displays found at jewelry stores, featured in magazine ads and TV commercials, or the baubles hawked on the 24-hour shopping channels.  I confess to enjoying the crafty banter and skillful salesmanship displayed by the lacquered and rouged molls (usually gals, and occasionally fellas) who almost effortlessly take orders/congratulate buyers/suggest alternatives or add-ons/charm viewers/read the tele-prompter without stumble or hesitation/internally calculate sale quotas/feign delight and desire.  Sharks beneath their carefully styled wardrobes selected to appeal to Betty in small-town Ohio/Jolene in po-dunk Georgia/Julie in dead-end Texas, they're able to sell, sell, sell tennis bracelets, pendant-charms, engagement rings, dress-up broaches, chandelier/hoops/drops/studs, strands, and bottled sand to the Hopi tribe (if so instructed).  Seriously, the processes involved in getting the gold rock extracted from the mines, and then fashioned into that desirable object to adorn your lover's naked body are laborious, lengthy, involves many levels of transaction, and besides being dirty, is quite destructive to the environment and to the general populace as well.


The NO DIRTY GOLD campaign hopes to enlighten and educate consumers like ourselves about the lesser known aspects of gold extraction/production.  Such as the devastating effects on the environment whereby natural areas, bodies of water, rivers and streams are contaminated by the run-off from drilling and processing; solid wastes contaminate the earth; air pollution is dangerously high as a result of machinery and transport vehicles which emit large amounts of carbons and gases; communities who fail to agree with the land owner(s) or mining companies' policies are frequently evicted or displaced, their wishes ignored or their rights violated by agents of powerful corporations acting in partnership with 'sympathetic' governments.  Evidence has shown that local communities receive very little monetary gain from the extraction/processing/production of gold, existing infrastructure is usually inadequate, and the work-force is plumbed to fill auxiliary/menial/heavy-labor positions.  


The NO DIRTY GOLD campaign suggests that prior to purchasing jewelry, please check to see if the merchant or vendor has signed or endorsed the GOLDEN RULES which calls for responsible mining in the operations of gold (and other precious metals extraction).  The GOLDEN RULES ensures that human/worker/indigenous rights are respected/labor standards and safety conditions are maintained/dumping of toxic wastes and other pollutants is halted, and so forth.  As a consumer, world citizen, and an enlightened peep, only patronize vendors who have signed the GOLDEN RULE.  Also please sign the petition from EARTHWORKS/NO DIRTY GOLD Campaign at www.nodirtygold.org.  Together we can make a difference, as well as keeping gold, and our environment, clean(er).


Sincerely,
Shane


PS:  Shame on you, MACY'S and COSTCO!!

ndustry.