Britanny Johnson

After seeing posts on Facebook all week about the Kony 2012 campaign, I was finally able to sit down today and watch the nearly 30 minute documentary created by the Invisible Children. I've had strong feelings on related issues for quite some time now and have been eager to put out a few of my own words, yet felt that I hadn't yet learned enough about this new widespread movement to put in my two cents. After watching the documentary and reading further into additonal articles both criticing and encouraging the campaign, as well as articles concerning Uganda, the LRA, RUF, Sierra Leonne (one article led to another, but lets not stray too far from the topic) I finally feel that I've become well enough informed to voice my opinion on the subject.

I'm going to start by saying that it baffles me that so many people act as if this turmoil on African soil is brand new big news! Come on guys! This sort of stuff has been going on for decades! And the Invisible Children's video isn't the first bit of media to touch on the subject! There were major motion pictures made (Blood Diamond staring Leonardo DiCaprio and Hotel Rwanda starring Don Cheadle) that showed extremely real portrayals of extremely recent related issues in Africa. I've read numerous books about people my own age, who, while I was building forts in my backyard, were being recruited for wars in Africa, not only by rebel armies like the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) or RUF (Revolutionary United Front) but also by the NRA (National Resistance Army - also know as the Ugandan Army that the Invisible Children's video talks about). A few years ago I actually spent a whole semester studying the subject of the wars in Sierra Leonne which greatly resemble the wars that the video talks about in Uganda. This is not new people, it's been going on for a long time, yet sadly without much attention being paid to it. However, the fact that this has been going on for so long without much recognition does lead me to commend someone for finally doing something to draw attention the the issue!

Thank you Invisible Children for opening the world's eyes and sparking a desire to help others who are greatly in need! I'm going to be honest, during the documentary I cried. Watching Jacob talk about his brother and not wanting to live broke my heart. Knowing that thousands of children in Africa probably feel the exact same way really broke my heart. I agree, as I'm sure would any other person that this brutality needs to be stopped. Kony should pay for the terrible things he's done to children, women, men and entire families in Africa. But sadly, stopping Kony does not stop the armies that support him. Kony is not the first and he will not be the last. Does that mean we give up? Not by any means. But my view on this may be very different from the next person's. My faith in this campaign may not be as high as many others, my choice whether or not to financially support this specific charity may differ from many other's choices. I personally believe it comes down to the issue of wanting to help others who are hurting and struggling, and I think that if this campaign sparks that desire in millions of people, it's amazing. But I personally feel that people need to
research more! We are a talented, intelligent and strong generation!! Don't be ignorant... watch more than one video, read more than one article or more than one book and EDUCATE yourselves on what is going on in this world! Millions of people are hurting and there are a million organizations out there that truly do want to help. I'm not here to push my opinion on you, who and what you decide to support is ultimately up to you, but don't think that just because everyone else is doing it, it's the right thing to do. Find out exactly where your money is going and if it's worth it to you! Maybe Invisible Children is the right choice for you, maybe a different charity is instead, that choice is each our own! Most of us can't go to Africa and save these children from being recruited into war and being drugged, tortured, raped or murdered. But every single one of us can look at our own community and help out the children, women and men around us who are also in need. We can dig deeper and look at the clothes, jewelry, toys, and food we buy and see exactly what it is supporting (maybe one of these days I'll find the time to touch on my very extensive views on the diamond industry). I'm not here to condemn Invisible Children's video, campaign or efforts. If it's something that's causing people to open their eyes, I think that's incredible. I am however encouraging all of you to research a lot more, educate yourselves a lot more on what you are supporting!

Here's a few articles that explore a little deeper and I suggest you checking them all out...

http://trainingleadersinternational.org/blog/192/kony-2012-and-social-media-think-before-you-post#.T1jxZgcQL5A.facebook

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2012/03/problem-stop-kony/49634/

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/politics-raising-children/2012/mar/9/joseph-kony-uganda-mirrors-lra-sierra-leone/

Also check out these books (These are a few that I have read and found extremely insightful on factual and personal levels):
-A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
-The House on Sugar Beach by Helene Cooper
-Blood Diamonds: Tracing the Path of the World's Most Deadly Stone by Greg Campbell

And in case you haven't yet seen the video by Invisible Children...

This post is a little overdue seeing as how this event happened back in October. However, I came across these photos and still wanted to share. I feel very blessed to work at one of Carson City's most beautiful salons, Salon Chocolat! Not only do I get to work in such a lovely place, but I get to work with absolutely amazing people. Back in October we had our first fundraiser to help support local breast cancer patients. Here are a few of those photos from that even. Enjoy!