Remember Stop Kony?
On March 5, 2012 the Stop Kony campaign from Invisible Children exploded onto the scene. The nearly 30 minute short film quickly accumulated over 80 million views of YouTube. It was tweeted by some of the most famous people in the world and received massive amounts of media attention.
Along with all of the popular support there was significant, insightful criticism. Some claimed that awareness was not enough, others said that the film was incomplete and lacked good (and correct) information.
The goal of the film was to mobilize people to make Joseph Kony, the leader of the LRA, famous. The proposed solution was an event on April 20 called "Cover the Night." In cities around the world, people were invited to bring attention to Kony, the most evil of warlords.
Today, just a little more than a month and half from the film hitting YouTube, and four days after Cover the Night there are some questions we ought to consider.
1. Do you remember Stop Kony?
We live in a media and information saturated world. While millions of people watched the video the response seemed rather underwhelming. Since Kony hit the newswire there have been newer stories that have captivated our minds, and we can only hold so much information.
2. Does social media work?
Along with all of the popular support there was significant, insightful criticism. Some claimed that awareness was not enough, others said that the film was incomplete and lacked good (and correct) information.
The goal of the film was to mobilize people to make Joseph Kony, the leader of the LRA, famous. The proposed solution was an event on April 20 called "Cover the Night." In cities around the world, people were invited to bring attention to Kony, the most evil of warlords.
Today, just a little more than a month and half from the film hitting YouTube, and four days after Cover the Night there are some questions we ought to consider.
1. Do you remember Stop Kony?
We live in a media and information saturated world. While millions of people watched the video the response seemed rather underwhelming. Since Kony hit the newswire there have been newer stories that have captivated our minds, and we can only hold so much information.
2. Does social media work?
Perhaps Malcolm Gladwell was right in his essay in The New Yorker. Is is true that "social media can't provide what social change has always required?" While YouTube, Twitter and Facebook are wildly popular can they really effect social change?
3. Was/Is the campaign a success?
Well it did generate great discussion, raise awareness and shed light on many who are in dire need ... but did that solve anything? Asch Harwood's blog suggests that yes, some good did come. However, Rory Caroll's blog suggests otherwise. What do you think?
4. What did you have for dinner?
How many people felt a tug at their heart while watching the video, and then did not act on it? Every time the gospels speak of Jesus having compassion he acted on it. What do we do? We say, "that's terrible and then go about eating our dinner."
5. Now what?
So there was a video, an event on April 20 ... and then we are supposed to do what? Invisible Children just released a video that addresses this question. But is it too little too late? Perhaps what we really want is not a rally that requires little. Maybe, something inside us like to contribute when it costs us something or when we have to sacrifice for a cause.