To Kony or Not To Kony
Posted on March 9, 2012, by Kim, under News | Events | Politics.
My mind is spinning with thoughts today. I remember seeing a trailer of the Invisible Children almost a year ago at a youth gathering. When I saw the three minute trailer, my heart was stirred at that point, but it wasn’t because I was ready to jump on the bandwagon right at that moment. It was actually very disturbing to me. I don’t know why, but political rallies on Capitol Hill always make me nervous. I understand that people have passion about certain things, but to me, it’s difficult to see. I am reminded of flag burnings, and the other insane things that people do in protest.
I share this with caution because I have friends that are passionate about this movement, Kony 2012. After seeing the Kony 2012 video circulate all over facebook, I finally gave in and watched it one day while my children were reading during school. I have to be honest and tell you that every fiber of my being told me that this is definitely something that we should not mess with. I will admit, my heart is torn because I have a deep love for children. I want to see them have the best life possible, and to succeed in everything they do. It is my dream that each child should be afforded a full and happy life, but we can’t always control the outcome of their lives.
I feel like God has given me a spirit of discernment and so, the research began. I stumbled upon some facts that confirmed my feelings and contacted a good friend to see if she had watched it to find out her opinion. She had not watched it yet, but later that night she had a chance and her feelings confirmed exactly my thoughts. Friends, I ask that before you go all in, please think about this. Read between lines, and listen to the verbiage. Everything that is being said is focused on a “Global Community” or “One World Government,” we as Christians know where this will take us. I know that it is inevitable that we end up there, but as Christians, are we really going to embrace this movement? Are we really going to jump into every good, pull on your heartstrings, movement? People, there is a thing called discernment. I am praying that the generations that are fully impacted by this get an over abundance of discernment. The red flags are everywhere.
I want to share with you the thoughts of a very good friend of mine. She eloquently shared them on Facebook earlier this afternoon, and she has spoken the very words I have been trying to put together.
It’s official: I’m old enough that I’m not easily herded with the rest of the hip flock. You see, my generation and those since have grown up in a world where we jump on band wagons quickly and rather mindlessly. Examples: *livestrong*, *Susan G. Komen*, and *WWJD* wrist bands were ways to show support for something good, right? Or perhaps, the wristbands really said more about ourselves: that we allowed brilliant marketers to use us as their billboards and make some money off of us. They were packaged with wholesome marketing and for the most part, our financial and social support went to worthy and decent causes. So we all wore our cheap plastic wrist bands with blissful smugness, feeling that we were part of the hip flock AND were doing something good. Thus we were mindlessly herded.
Which brings me to *Kony 2012* and the video, *Invisible Children* which has gone viral on FB and other social media sites. I watched it and found myself on an emotional roller coaster: ADMIRING a selfless dad who wanted to impact the world and save Uganda’s children and then INSULTED, realizing that the afore-mentioned dad was actually attempting to manipulate millions of “happy, hip sheep” by explaining his view of a complex political situation in a manner that his five year old would understand. Well, if I continue to move with the happy, hip flock of 5 year old intellectuals, then I’m quite happy to have someone tell me that I should support the simplistically explained political tragedy, I pay a small amount, and run with the “happy, hip flock” and their newest version of the hip new bracelet.
Trouble is, I actually listened to what was said and then did further research. That’s right, the flock kept moving and I decided to stay put and think for myself …. I can always catch the flock if they’re on the right path.
So, to the flock: did you hear the solitary sentence where it was divulged that Kony is no longer in Uganda? Yup! Uganda is now in the rebuilding phase and has been for quite sometime (do your own research or follow some of the links I posted last night and today.) Here’s another mind blowing tid-bit that he somehow made palatable (easy when your target audience has the decided to accept information dumbed down for a five year-old with a heart of gold): we should start an armed conflict with Kony and his army to bring him to justice. “Yay!!!!” the happy flock all “bahhhhs” together. Wait a minute ….. isn’t Kony’s army made up of the Invisible Children of Uganda? Shouldn’t the flock be bahhhing, “Booo!!!!! Bad idea!!!!! Don’t kill the abducted Invisible Children of Uganda!!!”
So, I encourage the happy flock to stand still for a moment, do some research, and think it through. It might take more than 30 minutes and you might not get to wear the newest hip bracelet, but that naked wrist of yours will be advertising your ability to think for yourself.
BTW: I think Kony and his supporters should be brought to justice, and I trust that Africans are both wise and capable enough to do that on their own.
Now, to deal with my impending midlife crisis: I’m not in the young, happy, hip flock anymore …….. *sniff*
I understand that many of you may support this, and that you may have done your research and have formed your opinion. This is no attack on you, it is just the flip side and should be taken into serious consideration.
2 Replies to "To Kony or Not To Kony"
bnpositive on March 12, 2012
Or this one: http://gigaom.com/2012/03/12/kony2012-new-media-success-story-or-cautionary-tale/
bnpositive on March 12, 2012
Here’s another article you may be interested in reading: http://lifehacker.com/5891726/how-to-determine-if-a-charity-like-kony-2012-is-worth-your-money