I am glad that I waited to post this last segment.
I am praying for Jason Russell, his family and all who work with Invisible Children. If you have not heard, Jason Russell (the co founder of Invisible Children) had a break down in public this week. (source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17409934, http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/jason-russell-san-diego-invisible-children-kony-2012-142970255.html)
Invisible Children released a statement...
“Jason Russell was unfortunately hospitalized yesterday suffering
from exhaustion, dehydration, and malnutrition. He is now receiving
medical care and is focused on getting better. The past two weeks have
taken a severe emotional toll on all of us, Jason especially, and that
toll manifested itself in an unfortunate incident yesterday. Jason’s
passion and his work have done so much to help so many, and we are
devastated to see him dealing with this personal health issue. We will
always love and support Jason, and we ask that you give his entire
family privacy during this difficult time.
So what are my final thoughts on Kony 2012?
I think it goes something like this.
Kony 2012 has hit a nerve with millions of people around the world, helping people to suddenly feel a part of something greater than themselves. This is something which we all long for.
I believe in advocacy. I believe that lobbying in government, calling your congress person, writing letters, signing petitions, is important and a part of our civil responsibility.
I just feel sorry for the US government as people respond to Kony 2012 in those ways... what can they say? They are already doing something! I suppose they can promise they won't stop.
Advocacy is important. Making the world aware of what is going on outside of their back yard is crucial.
You need to know what's happening in the world, so you can make informed decisions.
But if you are going to get involved, don't just do it because of a fade, and a 30 minutes really well produced video. Do your research. Figure out what's going on in the bigger picture.
Ask questions of the organizations you give money to. (Ask me questions)
Read the international news. Learn about issues beyond your boarders.
If you really want to stop wars, care for the environment, end poverty, and be a person of justice, You can. But is is painful, and not a fad...It just won't be comfortable, or easy. It's a lot of hard choices... and it's expensive... buy organic, and fair trade... buy cars that consume less fuel, be disciplined enough to recycles and compost, be simple enough to grow your own garden, eat less meals out, and still have to buy things that cost more because you are (more) confident they weren't made by children in factories. And be actually, honestly, informed.
You can seek to make informed choices, or you can just be inspired by a 30 minute video and go on living as though there isn't poverty in 2/3rds of the world.
Don't live out of guilt. Live in a way that is thoughtful and purposeful. There are thousands of ways to do this.
Invisible Children made a ton of money off of this film. But what was accomplished? I am sadly, unsure.
How about we start ....
Telling the US government to untie aid, have better accountability of US governmental employees working abroad, to start finding creative ways to deal with poverty in our own back yard.
Let's protest the fact we have spent trillions of dollars on WAR what what the world needs is PEACE.
Let's raise our voices against all forms of injustice, because we can, because it is our birth right. As humans, as people of integrity. Let's mobilize.
Invisible Children has mobilized. And it is impressive. I just wish it was around something that people could actually make a real impact on.
Perhaps they have shown us that we can change the world, that there is a way to unite us all in a common vision... a vision of a better future.
I am proud to have lived in these years. In this age, when governments have fallen, when the people have risen. I was so inspired by the Arab spring, and other events like it around the world.
Kony 2012 is another effort to tell the world about injustice.
I will let it be that. Kony needs to be stopped.
But let us hope that our eyes are not just opened to Joseph Kony and his horrid attrocities, but to the fact of a divided world ... a world full of injustice, in which, with intentional living, awareness, prayer, peace, and joy...
You can make a difference in your world.
So as Gandhi would say... Be the change you want to see in (your) the world.
Do something great with your life.
Don't start another NGO, don't move to Africa... just open your eyes, and ask "Where can I make a difference"... then give while you can, seek to be balances and live with joy. Challenge yourself.
So that the next time you see an inspiring video, you don't wish you were "doing more to help".
Because there is a lot of need out there, and if we all join hands we can find justice for the widow and the orphan, the oppressed and the downtroadend.
This is why I am in Africa, because I know this is my call, and I know it is to thee people.
But you don't have to be in Africa. There is a need everywhere.
While you may, honestly, not be able to do much to catch Kony... there are other people around you who need you more than the fight on Kony does.
Go boldly therefore...
Live with purpose....
Never wonder "what if"....
Be inspired, make a chance,
Give, without asking in return.
Another perspective... a acquaintance here in Kampala, Jame Pearson, wrote clearly and simply on his thoughts on Kony 2012: http://jamesapearson.com/2012/03/criticism-and-support-for-kony-2012/
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