Classroom III

Last night, my wife and I watched the movie Blood Diamonds on HBO. We enjoyed the action and drama, but we were moved by the facts and consequences of the diamond market.  This morning, I read a few articles online. Here is a link to one article.

Then today, our church had its annual Fall Service. It is a big event with “dinner on the grounds” following the church service. Looking around the small church as the families entered for the service, I recognized a familiar face. It was Jerry Lanier and his wife, from Washington, DC. Jerry is from Chadbourn, NC and graduated from West Columbus High School in Cerro Gordo, NC. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served as Deputy Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Ghana. As we were standing in line to fill our plates with the church dinner, Jerry asked me what I was doing now, and I told him I was teaching science. He smiles and nodded his head. He asked several other questions about my family and it come to me to ask him about the movie Blood Diamonds. He did not hesitate and calmly said that he knew a lot about the topic. In about 30 seconds, he summarized the topic and told me his opinion on the whole problem.  I asked him what he thought of the movie and he said it was historically accurate. Jerry was impressed with DiCaprio’s portrayal of the White African diamond smuggler. I wished I had taken my H4 recorder and recorded some clips for a podcast. But, he probably would not have agreed to comment about it on tape.

I was happy to learn that he and his wife are making plans to retire back here in Southeastern North Carolina. I will try to interview him later.