Often, I have to hear something repeatedly for it to sink in. The story of Joseph Kony and the war in Uganda is one of those things. The name and pieces of the story have found their way into my life in various ways — headlines, tweets, etc. But it was a tweet with a link to this 30-minute video that made me stop and take notice. During my lunch break, I watched in stunned silence. Please, I beg you to do the same.
KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.
As a journalist, I hear of insane and nearly unbelievable stories, some from my own community and some from far corners of the earth. It took this video to truly open my eyes to the reality of these people. I live in such a comfortable world. My problems pale in comparison to what’s happening outside of my bubble.
The Invisible Children movement is incredible. Bringing light to Kony is a tremendous effort, and one I very much want to be a part of. I can’t drop what I’m doing and go to Africa. I can’t donate thousands of dollars to the cause. I can’t do a lot of things to help. But I can put a sticker on my window. I can hang a poster in my office. I can write a blog. And I can definitely write a short letter to a politician through a few clicks on a keyboard.
If When Kony is captured, lives will be saved. People will be freed. Children will sleep through the night without fear of being taken. And all I have to do is pray and share a few minutes of my time. That’s it. Such a small price to pay for such an incredible outcome. So, I’m asking you to do the same. There are many causes I believe in and many things I pray for. There are lots of people I’d like to see become famous on this level to stop them from evil and people I’d like to see become famous on this level because of their awesomeness. But this is a tremendous call and without requiring people to do much.
Most of my readers are largely advocates for diabetes. Supporting KONY 2012 will not change your advocacy efforts. It will not take away funding from research or change your initiatives at all. But it will help save lives of children who are currently invisible. Take a minute for someone else and for a cause bigger than what we’re used to. Thank you.
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” -2 Corinthians 4:7-9
This is why I love the Internet this week. Like the video showcases; the power for positive change is tremendous through the mediums we have at our fingertips.
I 100% believe that Kony is an evil, evil man. I am not sure though that the strategy of Invisible Children is the way in which to deal with it.
I hate to link to the Huffington Post as a source but they have a good summary here – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-deibert/joseph-kony-2012-children_b_1327417.html.
Also, this link http://justiceinconflict.org/2012/03/07/taking-kony-2012-down-a-notch/. I cannot find a good link for it right now, but there are also some serious concerns about the finances and salaries at Invisible Children.
The situation in Africa is significantly more complicated than we understand and we have ignored it for far too long. If Kony 2012 draws attention to the situation – good. I just don’t think their suggested solution is the best one for the region.
If you want to get a different picture of what is going on, google “Lost Boys of Sudan” and if you want to watch an award-winning documentary of the situation, watch “God Grew Tired of Us.”
/soapbox
Thanks for the links and info. I haven’t read the Huff Post piece, but I did read the Justice blog. The thing for me is, this draws attention and potentially change. No, the video doesn’t offer a full picture of what’s going on, nor does it offer a real solution. But it does offer an easy communication line to the politicians who have the true power to make change.
Sadly, if you paint a real picture of a situation, people won’t watch it or read it. It makes them feel uncomfortable and feel bad for not doing anything so they choose to ignore the situation in exchange for not feeling guilt. This video is a perfect example of what American culture will latch onto. The makers targeted their audience perfectly. And in doing that, if changes occur through Washington, it was worth it.
I wasn’t aware of this or Darfur or the vastness of sex slavery until someone brought it to my attention. In one case, it was Nicholas Kristoff, in another, George Clooney, in another, Passion 2012, in another, a Warren St. John book about soccer. It takes someone putting an issue in the faces of others for anyone to know. One of your passions is Haiti, and you know better than anyone how easy it is for people to ignore a real situation. We live in a bubble, a safe and comfortable bubble. People want to feel good about helping, and this video does that. But if it also brings a call for activism or helps others get involved, including Washington, then I’m ok with that.
I haven’t watched the video yet. Partly a matter of time. Partly because I have cried enough lately over nonsense … I fear that the video would devastate me. Thank you for standing for the children though! Certainly the need is there!