I have recently been apart of a series of documentary screenings in Winnipeg for the film Nefarious: Merchant of Souls. The film is a in-depth look at the horrors of the sex trade and prostitution within our world. My heart was truly moved as I was exposed to something that I previously had no clue existed to the degree portrayed.
After watching the film, my first thought was: "what can I do to help stop this injustice?"
There is an obvious disconnect between the prosperity of the western world and the injustices that occur overseas. This is not to say that the western world is free from injustice, but rather it is better suited to deal with such issues. I believe that through the KONY 2012 campaign, Invisible Children has made it simple (and possible, for that matter) for those in the western world to contribute to a cause taking place far out of eyesight.
These are the reasons that I am choosing to support Invisible Children and the KONY 2012 campaign...
1. The Simplicity - As highlighted throughout the video, law/policy makers will listen to their constituents. The main focus of this movement is to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves and there is something plainly HUMAN in standing up for another person.
The campaign simply asks you to use your Facebook/Twitter/letter writing abilities mixed with a little bit of your time to contact those who hold power in our nation. To communicate a point; that there is injustice in our world and it must be stopped.
Everything has been set out before you, now it is time for you to mobilize.
2. The Hope - Do you understand that if Kony is captured our world will change? - change would in fact be inevitable. From the way we see social media to the way the policy makers react to the concerns of their constituents. I hold out for a hope that Kony will be arrested and brought to face the charges laid before him. And that perhaps this campaign can save the life of 1 child.
Concerning the matter of US intervention in a foreign nation...
The role of US soldiers currently in Uganda is the role of advisors. Yesterday, in a conversation with Chris Hopkins, a former US advisor in Iraq, I was told of the realities of the position of an advisor. I was told of first hand accounts of what it means to train local soldiers in ways they could not train themselves. During this conversation I came to realize that those advisors are not malicious men, but rather real human beings with the genuine intention of seeing change in the world.
It is also important to note that the US is not in Uganda for the purpose of occupation or government overthrow, rather to help locals rid their nation of a man who has been committing atrocities, unpunished, for over twenty years.
Those are my thoughts and opinions, feel free to agree or disagree. However! In whatever you do, do it to make this world a little bit of a better place.
Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.
