I'm still developing my opinion on Kony2012... I shared the video that was FOR Kony2012 on Facebook, and now I'm sharing this video AGAINST Kony2012...
Like this video says, the Kony2012 video does simplify the whole story. I'd encourage you to watch it, but read into it a bit more. Develop your own opinion before jumping on the bandwagon :)
(One mistake I noticed in this video though, was that she said something about the information in the kony video being old - that the situation is improving in Uganda so now its more about re-building what was lost in war. The Kony video DID say that Kony was moving out from Uganda. The problem is: Kony is still out there, just somewhere else... The focus of Kony2012 wasn't on Uganda, it was on Kony and stopping him where ever he may be...)
But - is sending an army into the country and treating violence with violence the best route? My friend said, "If we send the military in, aren't we killing the people we're trying to save?" Because Kony's army is Kony's victims. Kony's army is child soldiers who were kidnapped out of their own beds!(That's one thought... another is, "I can't think of a better way, so who am I to say they're wrong?")
I agree with her statement about the Kony video making out that the US is the only solution... I thought that too, and I think that other countries (Like Uganda) need to step up to protect their people with out international assistance.
Another thing I noticed in the Kony2012 video, was that it sounded like, "Now you know what Kony does. now you know he's bad. Here's how we're going to stop him."
Now, the reason I don't like that statement, is because once anyone hears about Kony, they know he's bad and want to stop him and protect those children. So then, since they are against Kony, they imediately think they are with the Kony2012 organization. They don't think twice on it.
Anyway... Like I said, I'm not sure what my opinion is yet. I'm open to hearing others while I wrestle though my own thoughts!
One thought that keeps coming back to me are, 'rescue missions' - I know during the holocaust, many Jews were smuggled to safety. Some were even rescued from concentration camps etc... This was before any allied forces had access to the Jews who were trapped in Germany. Also, I saw that another part of the effort in Africa for children who have been impacted by kony are rehabilitation programs. I imagine that will continue to be an important part of recovery for years to come. There certainly is a lot to consider... Many varying shades of grey between the black and white evil and good of this situation, eh? Love you, wrestling girl...
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the response on the invisible children website? This guy says he absolutely does not want people killed. He doesn't even want kony killed. He wants him found and arrested and in jail. He also says he knows there is so much more to do, but this is a starting point. In fact I think it says that in the original video in the beginning. Anyways, I don't know how I feel about the actual campaign. But I also feel that doing something is better than doing nothing. And I was sitting around doing nothing :P
ReplyDeleteI also think this video (note, i said video, not campaign) is a good thing because it will get people thinking. It will get people praying, softening their hearts, and it will get people donating to other charities as well. Because lets face it, we can't see that video and not do *something* (even if it is *just* a prayer, or a $5 donation to any charity we feel is right for us).
That's the thoughts i've been thinking, but its just the beginning.
We talked about this today and Wy and Haven think sending assassins would be the best course of action. That way, child soldiers don't have to die. I read Romeo D'Allaire's book this fall, They Fight Like Soldiers They Die Like Children - and i wept. Kony is destroying a whole culture. The kids can't go back to their parents- one of the first things they were forced to do was kill their parents/village. And Cambodia is a horrific example of what happens when a culture loses their parents. Trafficking in children is huge there, many blame it on Pol Pot's massacres...:(
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful Cairo... I like that you are thinking seriously about current events; there are so many to think about and daily events bubble to the surface for us to pay attention to. I have been recently aware and researching about First Nations in Canada... I see some similarities between the two... For me the point is this: When I become aware, what is my responsibility? This is where I think it is important to apply a good sit-down conversations with God and ask him my role. If I don't have his leading, I can easily find myself overwhelmed by the need to the point of paralyzing fear ... or distracted by what I don't agree with. Both still add up to doing nothing.
ReplyDeleteSo here's what I do know... There is much need; there is my responsibility in meeting the need which I trust God will make clear to me; God sees the need and abuse and his heart breaks for people no matter what station in life they live in or what measure of abuse or need; God is Provider; God is Love; and God is a mobilizer to those who serve the Kingdom; I can trust him; and His Grace is sufficient for all our needs.
Bless you sweetie.... Auntie A