The youthful energy of the Invisible Children program is infectious. I like hearing about young people who seek out opportunities to learn and help in a current events outside their own borders.
But the recent controversy over the Kony 2012 campaign has challenged each of us to process what we see in the video. IC claims that Kony 2012 opens the door to learn more about this current human rights issue. Beyond an introduction we each have a right to question and consider our options to get involved. This flow chart represents just a few of the directions we might take in our reactions to the video. I don't believe that Kony 2012 campaign necessarily deserves all of the harsh criticism it has received but believe that through debate, discussion, consideration and negotiations we refine our actions and the actual intervention programs we might support.
My belief is that unthoughtful or uncaring/hurtful responses will lead to dead ends for progress. Questions and inquiries with appropriate, responsible actions attached lead to open-ended possibilities. Already IC has made improvements to their strategy by integrating community service and education to their plans for Cover the Night (update: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYmkcRNGZnI&feature=relmfu).
