Help Catch Joeseph Kony – Kony 2012

This blog is full of stories that show that one person with an idea can make a difference in the world. We live in a time of hyper media, where stories can quickly go viral, where a video uploaded to Youtube can be viewed by millions in a matter of days. Such is the case with the documentary Kony 2012.

This is a story that interests me on a number of levels. It is a demonstration of the power of social media and the Internet. It is an example of how these powers can be used in a meaningful way. Most importantly, it is a story worth telling and spreading.

Here’s the scenario. Let’s say you knew of an individual responsible for heinous crimes against humanity. But you were in the minority and educating policy makers about this individual is the only way to stop him. How would you do that? You probably would go to Washington and meet with as many policy makers as you could, assuming you had the time and resources to take such action. You would most likely be brushed aside or at best given a few minutes to state your case and then thanked politely. You would be told that the United States does not intervene in matters that are not in our best interest or pose no direct security threat. And that would be that.

But if you were smart, talented, and determined like filmmaker Jason Russell, you might take a different tack. You might make a film about this individual and his crimes and make it available for anyone to see. Then you would use social media to help spread the word about the film. And finally you would provide the tools for people to act. Such is the case with the film Kony 2012.

If you don’t know who Joseph Kony is now, you will by the end of April. Specifically by April 20 when an all out push will be made to make sure that this individual is brought to justice.

Rather than waste words about him here, you can watch the video yourself. The subject is also covered in great detail in the book A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah. For even more info I encourage you to visit Kony2012.com and become involved.