Kony 2012

It was 12:00 on a Monday afternoon. Sitting at my desk at work, I had a few hours to do homework, or not. I chose the latter. A friend had just posted a blog about his trip to Uganda, in it he included a link to a new film by Invisible Children. Being interested in human rights and issues of injustice around the world, I decided watching the 30-minute film was a far better use of my time than studying for a bio final. Boy, was I right (pats self on back).


I watched the video and promptly shared it with friends on Facebook. As with videos I have reposted to Facebook before, I didn't expect ti to go far. Often people "don't have time" for a 5-minute video about modern-day slavery, I didn't think many would have the time for a half-hour film about child soldiers. This time, I was so wrong, and I'm so glad I was!


Literally an hour later, when I re-visited Facebook, this video was popping up all over my newsfeed. A few hours later, it had pretty much gone viral.


If you haven't heard of Joseph Kony and Kony 2012 by now you must not be on Facebook, Twitter, or on any other social media site. If this is the case, you can visit the Invisible Children website and watch the film. Here's a brief summary, to get you up to date...


Joseph Kony is the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), originally based in Uganda. Though he moved out of Uganda in 2006, he still active in other African countries. And what does he do? Why is this man so evil? He is a kidnapper, an enslaver, a murderer. Kidnapping young African children, he forces them into his army, indoctrinating them through the most horrible forms of violence, turning them into killing machines. Kony and the LRA have abducted over 30,000 children in northern Uganda. Invisible Children has a complete history of the LRA on their website.


Over the summer I read A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. I read it while in the car to Florida, and I assure you the car ride was punctuated with many tears. It's real-life, far more tragic than the movies.


So two or three days ago Invisible Children released their video about Joseph Kony. The 30-minute film begs people to make Kony famous, because if people know the atrocities he has committed, then he will be stopped. Obama issued 100 soldiers to Uganda to find Kony in October because of a huge outcry by the Invisible Children community. If momentum is lost, there won't be any reason to keep those troops there, send more, or continue in the search to bring Kony to trial. That is why it is so important to share this video, make Kony's name known, and show that we care.


I think it is incredible to see how quickly this video has become viral. #Kony2012, #stopkony, #Uganda, #InvisibleChildren, and the like have been trending on Twitter. When I scroll through my newsfeed on Facebook I can't go more than five updates without seeing something relating to Kony. It's been said nothing and no one can become famous overnight, Invisible Children proved that false. Kony literally became famous overnight. Seeing so much passion about this issue, so much outcry for justice to be served, is amazing. Invisible Children has made videos before, but none have become as famous as this. The question is, can we keep it going?


This is important. When thousands of children live in fear, cramped in alleys and basements and dark places to hide, in terror that they will be abducted and forced to become a soldier, something is wrong. When children don't have food, water, shelter, or freedom, something is wrong. When anyone is without these things, these basic rights that we take for granted, something is desperately flawed.


The world is full of good and the world is full of evil. That will never change. But that doesn't mean we can't fight for good, fight for peace, fight for justice, for freedom! If we can make a difference, we should. And we can. Sharing videos on Facebook and Twitter doesn't seem like much, but its better than nothing.


So here's what you can do:


First, watch the film.


Then, get on Twitter. If you don't have an account, now is a great time to make one! Invisible Children has identified 27 "culture-makers" ad 27 "policy makers" who you can tweet. The idea is that these people help create culture, through their music, acting, humanitarian work, athleticism, and political actions. If these people speak out, they can truly have an influence on what the government does, and make a difference. You can message these individuals directly, both through Twitter and Facebook.


Get the kit. Money goes to Invisible Children, and you can raise awareness by your apparel, stickers to adorn your computer or water bottle, and posters to display. If people don't already know, they will ask, and you can spread the truth about Joseph Kony, the LRA, and the work Invisible Children are doing.

Everyone has a right to be free. No one, child or adult, should be forced into any form of slavery, whether it be sexual, forced labor, or as a soldier. We can be part of the fight for justice, the fight for freedom, the fight for what is right. So join in, make Kony famous, to bring him to trial and bring justice to Africa.