There are two sides to every story.
Kony2012, Invisible Children's latest film and campaign, is taking the Internet by storm. Facebook and Twitter are blowing up with people sharing and re-posting the video. It's 30 minutes long, so I took some time to sit back and watch it this morning. And what I saw was gripping: the story of Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda, abusing children by turning them into sex slaves and child soldiers.
The story was also familiar - I watched the Invisible Children movie when I was in middle school, and I was immediately taken by its content. I even ordered the bracelets and movies to support the organization. But after reading articles like this one, I'm not so sure about IC's legitimacy. Should we really be promoting the organization and sending them money? Don't get me wrong; I wholeheartedly agree that Joseph Kony should be stopped. We live in a fallen world and his actions demonstrate just how broken it is. I simply want people to know the background information before blindly supporting the campaign. Like I said, there are two sides to every story.
Sides aside (woah, look what I did there!), the most interesting part about the Kony2012 movement is the way it spread like wildfire, seemingly overnight. The video went viral, but I can't help but wonder: What if we used the power of social media to spread Jesus' name instead of Kony's? Imagine seeing the Gospel message all over your Facebook Newsfeed; Imagine seeing Jesus go viral.
Now that would be something.
5 comments:
I tried reading that article you linked to, but the server was overloaded and so I couldn't haha! But I tried to look up something similar, especially since my roommate and I just bought the kit. I didn't find much except some people stating and complaining that not all of the money donated goes directly to the cause (what organization actually does that anyways?).
I think that it is still a wonderful cause. I wasn't able to read what this article said specifically, but any cause that can raise that much awareness about something that yes, absolutely needs to be stopped, in 24 hrs is a great thing. I think that by helping others and being selfless to give our time and energy and money to donate IS spreading the name of God. Because Charity is the pure love of Christ.
I agree with Gentri, by attempting to stop Kony and bring awareness to the situation we are also spreading God's name in the process. I'm not personally worried about how Invisible Children spends their money if they are going to make this big of an impact on our world in such a short time. I fully support what they are doing and I'm glad others do too. I would encourage you to check out this article: https://www.facebook.com/notes/john-rudolph-beaton/visible-children-viewed-critically/10150614970287933 (which is a counter argument to the one you posted).
I don't know why but I just feel really passionate about what they're doing and I really hate that instead of joining and trying to help, people have decided to pick apart their spending. I do agree with you though, there are two sides to every story. I'm glad you posted about this! I'm going to soon haha :)
They listed where the money goes on their blog. I believe that they are doing something amazing and I believe in this cause. I'm even going to giveaway some of campaign items on my blog for a giveaway!
I have to agree with you, I also watched the video in junior high, and I hate the idea of human trafficking like this, I would love to see Jesus' name to spread like this!
So true! I agree with you 100%!
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