KONY 2012

Ok, so this isn't really a political blog. It's just me talking about movies, but this is an issue that I've been wanting to address since I watched this video last night.

If you aren't one of the presently 10 million people who have viewed this, then here you go.

http://vimeo.com/37119711

At first, my instinct was to post this all over the social networks, but people wouldn't really take note of the impact of this 30 min short at 3 o'clock in the morning. So I decided to wait. Upon waiting, many of my friends decided to post this video too, and others also posted their concerns about it.

The concern brought up is mainly in part due to an article written by a second year Political Science major in Canada. (Visiblechildren.tumblr.com)

He brings up some extremely valid points.

1. Invisible Children is using more money towards ad campaigns and traveling, then they are to actually funding a tangible resolution to this problem.

2. After Joseph Kony is caught, then what is there to do?

3. There are other contributing organizations that actually physically help the child soldiers rather than spreading awareness of them. Why don't you help these other organizations out?

All of these are true, but what the writer didn't take into account is the atmosphere of the public. Yes, there are other organizations that are helping rather than advertising, but those other organizations have not been able to reach the scale that the KONY2012 campaign has reached in the last few days.

Sad to say this, but the campaign for change has now become the campaign for advertising.

A good idea cannot truly denote a large impact on society unless it is publicized.

The political institution of the United States is a prime example of this. California's state education deficit is about $28 billion. Governor Jerry Brown spent $25 million dollars on his campaign to beat the Governator in the last election race. Although the two numbers are far from identical, there's still a correlation. Brown could have instead used that money to assure the job safety of a couple public school teachers. But instead, he used that money to campaign for votes. Votes that ultimately won him the election.

You need money to gain influence. This is the idea that many lobbyists in Washington DC walk down the corridors thinking. Money brings advertisement. Advertisement garners influence. Influence makes changes.

The race for political office now has changed from who has the most riveting speech to who has the most followers on twitter. Everyone and their mother wanted to Obama-ize their facebook profile pictures in 2008.

We have become a world centered on visuals. Striking images and videos are more of an impact that words and speeches.

Bottom line, the more money you spend on getting yourself in the public eye, the more influence and impact you can have.

Within two days, the KONY 2012 video has skyrocketed across various media networks. Sure, the funds of the Invisible Children organization may be put towards advocacy rather than activism, but in reality, would we be having this discussion if it weren't for the viral video? Would Joseph Kony's name be as prominent as it is without the advertisement?

The Invisible Children organization is set on shining a light on what is occurring across the world from us. They've taken tactics used by politicians to broadcast their images everywhere.

You don't have to support the organization, but do support the cause. Instead of scrutinizing the people who bring this topic to light, applaud them, and investigate how to help in other ways.

You don't have to buy the t-shirt or bracelet, but do help in some way. It may not be through Invisible Children, but somehow, someway, Kony needs to be stopped.

This is an issue that effects us all, not as a nation, not as individuals, but an issue that threatens us as moral human beings.