If you are reading this you have probably already seen the
Kony 2012 video. If you haven't you should watch it so just so you can be aware of this issue trending world wide.
Here are some of the negative reactions I have heard. (and most of them are valid)
- The video is an oversimplification of the problem. (True)
- There are bigger fish to fry than Kony. (True)
- People are supporting a cause without doing the research. (True)
- Slacktivism - people supporting a cause only in word but not really taking action. (True)
- 32% of funds go to aid actual invisible children. (True)
Normally if you ask me if it is good for institutions to push one social justice issue I would say no. I think everyone should follow their own convictions and make a difference wherever they feel led. However this is different. I see that there are literally millions of people being moved to by this video. An entire generation of young people at the very least is being sensitized, becoming more selfless, and beginning to grow hearts for social justice.
The video is an oversimplification by design. That is why young people identify with it. They see a young boy who has lost his family to murder and that just doesn't sit right. Connecting Kony's face to this issue gives them the ability to point out something that is wrong and bring justice to it.
There are bigger fish to fry. (Afghanistan, Syria) But people are having their eyes opened to the injustice in the world and they want to make a change. Why crush their spirits? Once someone is passionate about social justice they tend to advocate it wherever they go. If millions of people are beginning to see injustice around them I am in favor of whatever the cause is. People want to see the world become a better place to live.
People are supporting a cause without doing the research. Kony is not that big of a threat anymore. Newsflash neither is Hilter, but people are no longer moved by that human story to fight social injustice. People are beginning to care for others because of the compassion they feel for Kony's victims.
Slacktivism - people a supporting a cause only in word but not really taking any action. Truth is I don't think everyone should take action. Not everyone is in a capable place or feels the conviction to support Invisible Children, but those who are taking action are doing so on their own initiative. The reality is that though many of the people who aren't taking action outside of recommending the movie are still having their lives changed by the movie. Their hearts are being softened and they are finding compassion for others by connecting with Jacob's story.
Only 32% of the charities funds go to actually aid efforts on the ground floor of the conflict. Invisible Children has always been pretty open about these statistics and you can find them on their website. This is actually a pretty common and contemporary model for nonprofits. Their 32% is much larger than most nonprofits who give a larger percentage in this genre because they do such a great job of creating awareness with the other 58%. Also think about this way....Imagine if your church or local boys and girls club didn't advertise, pay for their employees, have buildings, or pay their utility bills. Those institutions would fall flat on their faces. But because they do choose to pay for all those things they are much better equipped to serve people through their excess funds.
Always do whatever it is you feel is best to fight for social justice. For me that looks like taking the time to mentor a fatherless boy because I see the importance of boys having men in their lives. For a teenage girl I know it is selling wristbands to raise money for her friend who has cancer. For a elementary girl I know it is praying for and talking to the bullies at her school because she sees the pain they cause. For a group of adults I know it is raising money through races for the International Justice Mission. For a mother it is teaching teenage moms how to raise children. For some of my friends it is taking in foster children. And for millions of young people their first step to fight injustice is going to be taking part in the Kony 2012 campaign this year. Let their hearts be changed as they choose to make a difference in the way they know how.
I was standing today in the dark tool shed. The sun was shining outside and through the crack at the top of the door there came a sunbeam. From where I stood that beam of light, with the specks of dust floating in it, was the most striking thing in the place. Everything else was almost pitch-black. I was seeing the beam, not seeing things by it.