Powerful. Motivating. Simplistic. Genius.
Say what you want to about the recent infamy of the Kony 2012 movement, but those four words describe my thoughts perfectly.
While I have heard about the Kony 2012 initiative for a couple of weeks now, I deliberately waited to view the 30-minute video that has seemingly taken over YouTube. I wanted to wait until right before I began writing this editorial to watch it so I could give you my genuine interpretation immediately after viewing it. I came up with powerful, motivating, simplistic, and genius.
Perhaps a little background information will help illustrate my perspective.
For 26 years there has been a war in Uganda where thousands upon thousands of children are abducted and turned into soldiers or wives for the rebel forces. Innocent children are being viciously used to harm others or serve as sex slaves. The children who are fortunate (and I use that word lightly) enough not to be abducted are permanently disfigured; be it severing limbs, slashing one’s mouth, or any other heinous act. All of these atrocious actions were and continue to be ordered by Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
When filmmaker Jason Russell learned of Kony’s efforts, he sought to do something. That something sparked a small flame that eventually ignited worldwide.
In addition to raising awareness in different American cities through Invisible Children Inc., his San Diego-based activist organization; Russell also produced a 30-minute documentary that introduced viewers to the African warlord and his atrocious ways. The plan was to raise awareness and then evoke action.
It seems to be working.
At Recorder press time and less than two weeks after the video debuted on YouTube, there have been nearly 78 million views. Russell took a tragic situation and made it powerful by directing a rather simple video that has motivated millions – including celebrities and politicians. It was a genius idea that has resulted in a tremendous level of consciousness. The goal with the Kony 2012 initiative is to make Kony a household name; not in an effort to celebrate him or condone what he has done, but to bring about his arrest by making him one of the most recognizable criminals worldwide.
On its website, Invisible Children sales kits that include Kony-themed items such as posters, buttons, T-shirts and an action guide explaining ways the public can help.
As with any concept, there will be critics and Russell’s project has its fair share of naysayers. Some have questioned Russell’s use of contributions, while others have stated there are more pressing issues in Uganda to worry about such as the various diseases that are ravaging the country. One report noted that more Ugandan children die of malaria, diarrhea and nodding disease “on a daily basis than the monthly average of Kony’s years of killing.”
While that may certainly be true, it is not fair to minimize the brutality of Kony. Nor is it fair to minimize the deadly impact of the aforementioned diseases. That is why Russell’s effort is so great: it brings awareness to the ailments of Uganda. While many people may have been introduced to Uganda via the Kony initiative, perhaps that very same effort has led them to learn more about the area and others on the continent, resulting in more informed, socially conscious people – period.
Russell made smart use of social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to educate people. The fact that education may result in lives being saved, be it from Kony or disease, it is icing on the cake. How else has such global attention been placed on Uganda? Kony’s war has been waging for nearly three decades. At least now people are taking notice and hopefully change will come for Ugandans and millions of others on the continent of Africa.
Towards the end of Russell’s video appears a rather profound statement that reads: “Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time is now.”
Russell’s campaign illustrates how people, particularly the younger generation, are concerned about the global community. That concern has provided Ugandans with resources such as technology that not only help track Kony, but also gives early warnings of impending attacks to villagers.
Where you live should not determine whether you live, yet that has been an unfortunate reality for many Ugandans. I salute Russell and the millions of people worldwide who are committed to helping improve the quality of life for people everywhere.
You can email comments to Shannon Williams at shannonw@indyrecorder.com.
