Aware

If you're a social media user (or addict like me) then you probably saw some sort of STOPKONY2012 propaganda yesterday on Twitter or Facebook or YouTube or Vimeo or Instagram. Wherever you chose to follow the details of other people's lives-- it was out there. In between posts of "blacked out in frat myers #sb2012" or "ready to cheer on the cats in Blue Orleans," there was a 30 minute video detailing brutalities that have happened to children in Uganda.

As I was cruising Facebook and Twitter yesterday, I watched the video and forwarded it to my followers. Why did I do this? I felt bad for these people. Can I locate Uganda on a map? NO. What do I know about the history of this country? Nothing really.

So this morning, I have been really thinking about this whole STOPKONY 2012 campaign. I found this article which offers another view on what is happening with Joseph Kony in this region of the world and some interesting information on the Invisible Children organization. These are probably the real facts of the situation but, as previously stated, I really have no idea. This situation is filled with foreign policy, military, and government issues that are far too complicated to understand from one 30 minute video or a 300 word article.

What is clear to me, from the mass distribution of this video on social media, is that for 30 minutes yesterday a lot of people stopped and thought about people outside of their own "worlds." Instead of looking at PGPs (post grad problems) on Twitter or creeping on wedding, spring break, and baby photos on Facebook, people were reminded that there are seriously awful things that happen to other human beings in this world. They maybe even thought about how they could do something about it. Even if it was simply whipping out their debit card, buying the $30 dollar STOP KONY bracelet, and feeling like they helped save the world a little from their cubicle.

This might not have been a very educated decision because the video clearly doesn't tell the WHOLE story and maybe that $30 bucks went right into the pocket of the good looking white guys who run Invisible Children. However, now this person is actually thinking of others. Maybe this new awareness will reach outside of their cubicle to the commute home where they see another need in their own community. Maybe our cubicle hero will think of a way to help or maybe this person will just simply be aware of what is happening in the world outside of their car.

I am certainly not condoning supporting a cause that you know nothing about because it makes you feel like you've helped. I'm not saying that if you work hard to get ahead, you should feel guilty if you're not helping others. Times are hard for everyone and charity is a personal choice.

I AM saying that awareness is of great importance. I feel like there are people that walk through this world and have no idea of the plight of others. There are people all over this world who suffer great injustices everyday. The very least we can do is be aware of that. Not only will this make us more appreciative of our own lives but, this awareness just might turn into action. Lastly, action is action no matter where is happens. Invisible Children might be a great cause but so is helping a mom with three kids load her groceries into a car or delivering a meal to those in need once a month.

I'm going to try to start spending the same amount of time exercising compassion towards the needs of others as I do exercising my thumbs to read the next tweet. That's where I'm starting. Maybe you could do the same.

Here's the article:
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/03/07/guest_post_joseph_kony_is_not_in_uganda_and_other_complicated_things

**note to the reader** this was written before 7am and before my first cup of coffee. Excuse the rambling :)