We Need to Talk About Kony

Child Soldier

When a video gets over 11 million hits in 48 hours, going viral across the web and various social media platforms, we witness a real-life public relations fairytale. When the organisation behind the now prolific campaign is philanthropic, interested only in saving Central African children, we witness an important moment in the history social media.

Invisible Children have created a global moment of realisation; one that demonstrates the power of social media, and most importantly, the extent to which it lies in the hands of the people. Their campaign not only empowers the viewer, it shows them how to use this new power to fulfil their basic humanitarian responsibility.

However an interesting article in Foreign Affairs exposes just how little Americans, journalists included, know about the United States' past involvement in Uganda. It is also concludes that until the underlying problem -the region's poor governance- is adequately dealt with, there will be no sustainable peace.

It is important that amidst the hype we do our bit to engage with the full story behind this 30 minute campaign. To promote humanitarian action amongst young people can only be commended, but if we accept that arresting Kony will resolve the problems of this devastated region, we are failing to use our newly highlighted social agency responsibly.

Image via Bin's Corner