KONY 2012, a viral video is a thirty minute video that expresses great atrocities that are happening in Uganda. We are introduced to Jason Russell a film maker with an adorable young son who is just like any other kid in America. Jason talks about Jacob, a boy in Uganda he met over 10 years ago. Jacob was fleeing the man who killled his brother; Joseph Kony a man who is kidnapping child to use them as child soldiers and sex slaves. Joseph Kony is number one on the list for the crimes against humanity by the United Nations, ahead of Muammar Gaddafi and others like him. Jason explains that Kony has been doing this for a number of years, horrible crimes such as having child kill their parents or mutilation; but most people are unaware that he exists. The US government refuses to become involved because we have no interests at stake. Invisible Children a nonprofit organization that Jason Russel heads wants to make him known through awareness such as the video, bracelets, and such spreading the word.
KONY made an incredible impact, Jacob who was once my age faced great tragedies and atrocities that I have never had to even imagine. We all know that barbarities do happen, we don't live under a rock; but we had no idea that this was happening, and to children, its unimaginable. Not only that, but when the government caught wind of it, absolutely nothing happened, nothing was done. We see in the video them approach Senators and people of power, but we were still unaware. This makes me beg the question was our government so completely oblivious that this was occurring, or were they aware, did nothing about it and kept us in the dark? I've always felt that I was aware of what was going on in the world, my parents have never sugar coated the issues and I felt blindsided. The video says that it expires at the end of 2012, that our goal is to capture Kony and bring justice before the new year. The video came out in January, "cover the night" was in March, and now? People have probably completely forgotten, its a saddening but true fact about our country, we care and are compassionate when an issue arises but with the week, we've forgotten. Like the Aurora shooting, people move on once the camera crews leave and forget that it will still affect someone everyday. The video inspires me to realize that I need to find my own facts not just what the media tells me is so and that if I find a cause I care about to let it drive me to my limits to stop it. At the same moment the video has me lose faith in people, yes there are people who will hone the issue, but like with everything people lose interest and forget. I hope one day I can find a cause or passion that drives me like the works of Invisible Children drives Jason Russel.
