I had never heard the name Joseph Kony until today. I had to go check it out after both my daughter and son mentioned it to me. My search found this video tonight which is persuasive but more important is the viral effect this message has had in social media. The world is changing and the Internet's power to communicate reached new heights today with over 43,000,000 people viewing this on youtube. Facebook and Twitter haven't totalled any numbers but certainly you can't open a blog or tweet or page without finding mention of the video or Kony. There are some who are questioning and others who are warning about the video's misguided neo-colonial advocacy. The growing collective skepticism is equally interesting to observe as it also goes viral.
I remember growing up in rural Sasktachewan where we had a party line and everyone knew each other's business. My parents would often talk in a code of their own to keep the neighbors in the dark for a few days. This video will be a textbook example for the effectiveness of social media.
I read a few years ago A Long Way Gone and when I saw The Last King of Scotland, I was disturbed and wondered what I could do. Whatever side you fall on the Kony issue, you have to admire the movie's creator for not just wishing the corruption and violence towards the invisible children would end but doing something about it.
April 20, 2012 will indeed be an interesting day.
1 comment:
Bonnie, I've just watched the Kony video and was really touched by the passion of the people who seem
committed to making a difference. I can't think of a worthier cause.
Ultimately though I do think the effort does have a "misguided neo-colonial" approach. And what happens when Kony is taken down, that doesn't necessarily mean the end of the rebel guerilla army.
Thanks for posting about this. I agree with you - well intended action definately has merit.
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