Kony 2012: The Real Story

I remember the exact year, day, and minute that I first heard about Jason and Invisible Children. I was a naive and befuddled high school freshman, caught in a whirlwind of new people, classes, and experiences. It was noon on Monday, November 19, 2007, and the entire school was called to the auditorium for “a very special assembly.” A handsome blonde man stood before us with a banner that read, “Invisible Children,” and a single picture projected on the screen. This picture was of a young boy, looking despondent and despairing–a boy who had lost all hope and faith in the world. This boy’s name was Jacob. 

By now, I am certain the majority of you have seen Jason and Invisible Children’s “Kony 2012” video that has been rapidly circulating on Facebook and YouTube. During my school assembly and in this awe-inspiring video, Jason tells of the incredible and almost inexplicable perils in Uganda, Africa. He elucidated that children just like Jacob, just like you, and just like me, are being abducted and forced into the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). For 26 years, one of the world’s most villainous and malevolent leaders, Joseph Kony, has been capturing children and obliging them to take part in the vicious and nonsensical slaughtering of his own people. Kony’s LRA is a brutal campaign to establish and enforce theocratic government, fueled by the Ten Commandments. Kony considers himself “a good Christian,” whose sole desire is to spread Christianity throughout Uganda. The LRA claims that God has sent spirits to express this mission directly to Kony himself. Headed by Kony, the LRA has invaded several countries including northern Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan. Kony’s efforts have spread and his guerilla group has grown exponentially. It is unclear how killing thousands of innocent children and forcing them into combat and sex slavery fulfills any of the Ten Commandments and makes Kony “a good Christian;” however, it is clear that his efforts must be stopped. 

Kony’s LRA has abducted over 30,000 children for the utilization of fighters and sex slaves. As part of their initiation, these children are usually required to kill their own parents so that they have no homes or family to return to, ensuring their membership in the LRA. Once these young kids are kidnapped, they become pack mules. These mere children are forced to carry LRA supplies until they are too meek and exhausted to walk, at which point they are usually killed or simply left to die. Many of these kidnapped boys also serve as targets and decoys, placed unarmed in the front lines whenever the LRA engages in combat the Ugandan Government. Kidnapped girls that are deemed attractive to Kony and his senior commanders are made into their “wives”–Kony is estimated to have 60. These “wives” are raped and harassed by unethical and brutal men four times their age. Lastly, captive children who are seen as bothersome are ordered to have their noses, lips, and ears cut off, and are subsequently forced to consume their own flesh.

Kony and the Ugandan government have discussed the plausibility of issuing peace negotiations; however, this seems unlikely. Kony will never cease his cold-blooded killing and perceived “fulfillment of God’s mission for [him].” Additionally, when recently asked about peace talks, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni stated Kony and the LRA’s senior commanders must die–“ The wages of sin is death.” In 2005 Kony was indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, but has since evaded capture and continues his innumerable abductions in the jungle of Uganda. 

As “Kony 2012” has gone viral, the amounting and incoming feedback has been incredible. Of course, some of this feedback has been negative, with opponents claiming that Jason and the Invisible Children’s “Kony 2012” video is too simplistic, victimizing, and employs the idea of the “White Savior.” However, Jason and Invisible Children’s campaign has been proven to be undeniably successful. Jason clearly states in the video that the goal of his campaign is to “make Kony a household name,” which he and IC have done. The intent was not to formulate a specific and highly strategic political plan in a 30-minute video that would alleviate all of Uganda’s problems and undo years of cruel and corrupt political rule. Ironically, opponents of the campaign have unknowing further supported and aided in the “Kony 2012” campaign; their negative blogging and spreading of pessimistic, meticulous criticisms has spread even more awareness about “Kony 2012,” captivating more attention of the public and creating more awareness. It is easy to pick apart any type of organization and highlight its negative facets, but it is futile and cowardly. It takes great courage and altruism to do what Jason and IC have done, which is years of working hard, spreading awareness, working with political leaders, fundraising, and, most importantly, making a significant impact on the way the world thinks. 

This video employs the idea of togetherness and “many small voices can make a big voice.” Differentiating races, genders, age, and creed are of no significance; the purpose is to come together to do what is right. As you read this article, one of the most prevalent and successful human rights based viral campaigns in history is taking place. Jason and IC’s “Kony 2012” campaign has captivated every type of social media including Twitter, Youtube, and Facebook. Jason and IC have done a tremendous job in advocating and pushing for the rights of northern Ugandans, emphasizing the conflict and providing tangible benefits to the victims and survivors of LRA violence. As Jason stated, 2012 is the year. The time is now to unite and stop Kony and the LRA’s unethical and malicious brutality.