Since it’s a hot topic, might as well talk about it right? You got it.

Obviously if you are reading this, you have at least pea-size clue on who Joseph Kony is. If not, let’s give you the run down. Wiki Version, since this whole concept is based on sharing right?

Joseph Kony (born 18 September 1964) is a Ugandan guerrilla group leader, head of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a group engaged in a violent campaign to establish theocratic government based on the Ten Commandments throughout Uganda. The LRA say that spirits have been sent to communicate this mission directly to Kony.

Directed by Kony, the LRA has earned a reputation for its actions against the people of several countries, including northern Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan. It has abducted and forced an estimated 66,000 children to fight for them, and has forced the internal displacement of over 2,000,000 people since its rebellion began in 1986.In 2005 Kony was indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, but has evaded capture.

Good, that’s out of the way. I love social media, it’s my passion, it’s my job, it’s how I connect. Let’s be real though, if it was not for social media as of today 99% of you would have no clue to who Joseph Kony was or what he has done.

March 5th, 2012. #Kony2012 is launched and like a good movement it spreads like fire. Receiving recognition in over 150 of the 196 countries in the World. Also, like a good movement it has push back. Some call it a #FAD and people are jumping on the #BANDWAGON.

I understand. I get it. Being a part of the Rice Center of Philanthropy and Non-Profit Leadership, I see charities and non profits all the time trying to spread their mission and receiving criticism and/or praise.

The organization behind Kony 2012, Invisible Children Inc. has been called an extremely shady nonprofit as well as being called ”misleading,” “naive,” and “dangerous” by a Yale political science professor, and has been accused by Foreign Affairs of “manipulat[ing] facts for strategic purposes.” They have also been criticized by the Better Business Bureau for refusing to provide information necessary to determine if IC meets the Bureau’s standards.

Additionally, IC has a low two-star rating in accountability from Charity Navigator because they won’t let their financials be independently audited. That’s not a good thing. But you’ve missed the point to read into that. KONY 2012 is not about seeking donations, it’s about bringing awareness to and for the Invisible Children that Joseph Kony has been capturing and turning into soldiers for the last 26 years.

I take this stance as a firm believer in God.  I see an issue and I react to solve it. It’s in my DNA.

Acts 20:35

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

I’m not rich. I can’t give hundred of thousands of dollars to IC to help their campaign to find and capture Kony. But you know what I can do, press that “like” button, “share” that post, “retweet” that tweet. That’s how I am helping. Yes I donated as well, but the mission is create awareness. As a part of the DoSomething generation this movement makes me smile because it is my age group making this possible.  We aren’t wealthy, shoot just a couple months ago we had people #occupywallstreet to show everyone that we aren’t. By the way where has that movement gone?

Back to my point. I understand nearly every position about the Kony 2012 film. I really do. But as a believer, I go to the bible for my research and guidance.

Galatians 6:2

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Matthew 5:1-48

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. …

Deuteronomy 15:11

For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’

Need I go on? As a brother in Christ, I am called to help those who can not help themselves, and if that is through sharing a 30 min video to bring awareness about a particular issue, then you better believe I am going to do it. #SorryImNotSorry. #Kony2012

Blessings,

-B