AMERIE'S BOOK CLUB December 2023 | Cobalt Red by Siddharth Kara

What is a life worth? In ages past, humans could pretend their luxuries simply appeared, but our current age makes it nearly impossible to ignore the harsh realities that make our way of life possible. And so it is impossible to remain ignorant to that which powers our lives. In COBALT RED, Siddharth Kara provides an intense account of cobalt mining in the Congo, where three-fourths of the world’s cobalt is hand-mined in dangerous and toxic conditions by thousands of men, women, and children for one or two dollars a day. Kara also dissects the cobalt supply chain that provides for the world while devastating so many Congolese. We cannot ignore what is happening in the DRC, and though it has certainly gone on for too long, perhaps now that Siddharth Kara’s exposé has laid bare the truth for the world to see, there can be change, whereby the people of the Congo, who have suffered immensely throughout history, will finally be able to move forward with the hope and self-determination they deserve.

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ABOUT SIDDHARTH KARA
Siddharth Kara (Sociology and Social Policy) is part of the Rights Lab's Measurement and Geographies Programme and is a British Academy Global Professor (2020-2024). He was one of only 10 academics globally to receive the prestigious BA Global Professorship in 2020. His books on modern slavery are Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery (2009); Bonded Labor: Tackling the System of Slavery in South Asia (2012); and Modern Slavery: A Global Perspective (2017). He adapted his first book into a Hollywood film, Trafficked. During 22 years of field research, he has traveled to more than 50 countries to document the cases of thousands of enslaved people and child labourers. He advises several UN agencies and numerous governments on anti-slavery policy and law. His research as a BA Global Professor with the Rights Lab will provide the first comprehensive academic study of slavery and child labour in cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including prevalence estimates, supply chain tracing, and public health and environmental impacts. Kara's next book is also on this topic, Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our lives (St Martin's Press, Jan 2023).

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[Xara_K]

I actually finished this book a few weeks ago and it is painful, but necessary. Very well written and researched

[EsraaTahaReads]

The solution you suggest here makes sense, but more and more blood is going to be shed that way. As the author wrote, the US and UN assassinated the one who was willing to change the situation in Congo. That's why, in my opinion, the author suggested going to the company instead of revolting against the Congolese government, which is to avoid bloodshed as much as possible.

[efgh]

Thank you so very much for promoting this!! It is such a painful situation that everyone should know about!

[achillpill]

Thank you Amerie for spreading awareness! I believe all of us of African/Congolese descent need to realize the battle is still being fought on Congo

[audreywilliams]

Greed over takes people they only want to make there self richer they don’t care about others. Great book thanks for the knowledge.❤

[yonathanseleshi]

Thank you Amerie for shedding light on this. It's so disturbing how little coverage this gets.

[ariannefowler]

This book sounds really interesting. It's an important topic that I don't know much about and should educate myself on. Thanks for putting this on my radar.

[naturalflowalchemy]

Thank you for sharing this important read! LOVE your book club!

[thecandidbookclub]

Putting this on our list! Thank you for this Amerie! ❤

[melodyShaffronICHILLIN_fan]

I like these kind of books thats bring attention to things around the world that may be very little known around the world, and how companies can just say something and people will just believe it. Without visually showing their audience what their actully doing and not doing what thier saying.

[regular.decision]

it's been really refreshing to see you online spreading so much important and urgent information about DRC and Palestine and beyond. So grateful for your presence! 🫶

[ResidencefUtopia]

Omg she still beautiful and look young. Just gorgeous ❤ i asked what amerie was doing and my relative said book reviews now. Beautiful talentdd and intelligent

[soundseeker]

And this is why I've never been sold on the whole "EVs are the ethical / environmental choice" hysteria sweeping the western world right now. The human, and environmental cost that they are causing, mostly overseas, is huge.

[GarudaLegends]

Dang. I cant not like you. I have to listen to you music again as a 37 year old chocolate man. Keep doing you woman. You have never let me down

[BeyDay]

Loving what you do!!! May books survive forever ❤️❤️❤️

[PumpküTheOrigi]

Hey am here to say i love your song this one thing got me trippin ❤❤❤ it the best and i wish you the best

[DaudAriehBenIsrael]

Thank you for the truth. Shabbat shalom. Praise Yah!

[capnuge]

Wow it’s great to see you doing your thing I’m a big fan of your music and look forward to supporting your channel books don’t get enough love these days ✌🏾❤️

[harrisre-nee]

Black people CANNOT expect our *oppressors* to ever have our best interest in mind, period! History has proven this *repeatedly*. 💯 Brilliantly stated! 👏🏿 My all-time favorite artist -- now I understand why! 🎶 🏆💃🏿🌬️✨

[Theprofessionaldriversagency]

Amerie you are the best for bringing this to the forefront. Thank you.