Joseph Kony

For those of you who haven't seen this video, you should.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4Mnpz…

But don't stop there. Read this.

visiblechildren.tumblr.com/

As the end of the article points out, KONY 2012 is all about the Invisible Children organization, and supporting them, which perhaps isn't the best solution. But Joseph Kony needs to be stopped, and awareness is key. Making his a household name is a start, but it can't be the end. Military involvement doesn't solve everything, especially when the military involved is committing atrocities as well.

So I'm not telling you that you should or shouldn't support KONY 2012, just that you should be aware of what's going on.

I haven't fully researched this, so if you're interested, I'm sure there's much more to be learned, and feel free to share whatever you know.

~Edit~ I also found this article, ilto.wordpress.com/2006/11/02/… but it is about a previous Invisible Children campaign from over 5 years ago. However, it still makes some valid points.

~Second Edit~ More information about Invisible Children whitthef.wordpress.com/2012/03…

~Third Edit~ Sorry for spamming people, I just think it's important to be informed. This article thedailywh.at/2012/03/07/on-ko… has a little bit angrier tone, but it gives some links to more effective organizations and some important facts.

~Another Edit~ Okay, okay, I get it. No one wants to comment or get involved or anything. But if you like knowing, here is one more article justiceinconflict.org/2012/03/… and I'll shut up now.

And for those of you who are starting to get the picture that I'm against this movement, I'm actually not. I think that awareness is a huge part of solving any issue. I wouldn't personally have chosen the term "famous" for the catchphrase, but that's okay. A lot of people are getting worked up over the fact that such a large part of the budget of Invisible Children goes to film making, but that film is what got everyone talking. People are much more willing to take an interest in something they can see, as opposed to just reading the facts.
However, I cannot say I support all that the Invisible Children do. Supporting the involvement of a corrupt military with a rather atrocious track record when fighting against an army of child soldiers? Mmm, no. Military action against child soldiers leads to dead children. And isn't that just what we're trying to stop?
But for those people taking issue with this movement as a "White Man's Burden" situation, get over yourself. It is every human being's burden to act when atrocities are being committed against their fellow man.
That being said, the action should be one that is beneficial for those who are being helped, or, better yet, who are being enabled to help themselves. I don't know what a Ugandan child soldier needs. Only that child knows what they need, and their needs are likely different from the kid standing next to them. Throwing money at any problem does not make it go away. It just makes us feel better.