Some years ago I sat in the jury of a moot trial at the Hugh Wooding Law School where the team from Jamaica fought against their Trinidad and Tobago counterparts. Actual transcripts from a real case were used in this classroom setting. I remember the see-saw effect on my mind as both sides presented their arguments. My thoughts, like an erratic pendulum, kept swinging from side to side. I did not know what to believe then and I am in a similar position today with this Joseph Kony campaign.
When the first wave of the Kony tsunami hit me, I was covered in horrid reports of this African war lord via the viral video Kony 2012 produced by a group called Invisible Children. I was surprised that I had never heard of this man who was reported to have done so many atrocities in Uganda. I guess the millions globally who were caught in that first wave also felt that way. The video was viewed in record numbers in a remarkably short period. The power of social media was again evident. Viewers were asked to share the video to make Kony famous so that awareness will eventually lead to action to capture him. I was about to join the bandwagon when the second wave came, knocking my head violently in another direction; the wave of doubt.
I got it first from friends online, then a co-worker, followed by CNN. The journalistic integrity of the video was questioned. There were remarks on the request in the video for financial donations and essays online on how the money they raised was allocated. Ugandans were posting videos on Youtube debunking Kony 2012 and the Ugandan authorities were saying that this great effort to get the man accused of crimes against humanity comes too late as his crimes were done years ago and he is now in hiding in a very remote area outside of Uganda. The criticisms are too many to mention. So now I thought, “Is this global campaign really significant? Are the people on television right in saying that this may be one of the greatest marketing campaigns ever? Were we all duped?” Before I could think things through, yet another wave!!! This time, it came from inside the Invisible Children camp itself.
I subscribe to an online newsletter called Seeds of Success. It features ideas, tips, advice and video clips from their experts with the goal of providing readers with insight into personal improvement to help lead to success. I was surprised earlier this week to see in the newsletter an article from a contributor named Darren Hardy. He is also a board member of Invisible Children and he posted his dismay at the reaction of many in the world at the video. It went like this:
We are a ridiculous people…Why do we tear down those who dedicate themselves to building us up?
We did it to Gandhi, Martin Luther King and even the man from Nazareth.
I’m a Board member of Invisible Children. Last week they released a video called KONY 2012. The objective was to bring the world’s awareness to the heinous crimes of the LRA and it’s leader Joseph Kony—the number one war criminal in the world (indicted into the International Criminal Court list in July of 2008 but has not yet been brought to justice).
This organization is fueled off the passion, heart and soul of three audaciously brave young men and the millions of young people they have shaken out of an apathetic stupor to rise up and take action on this urgent and vital cause.
For seven long hard years (and you thought this was an overnight sensation!) millions of young people and most especially the three founders have sacrificed their sanity, nights and weekends and even put their lives at risk for this cause. I’ve met the hardest working people on the planet and in my opinion, no one works harder and longer than these three young men, I promise.
Their video struck a heart cord. Their audacious goal was 500,000 views. It has now been viewed over 90 million times.
Everyone attached (and those not) to this issue in some way has also been called to task. Instead of championing these brave people for doing what they have not been able to do, they attempt to tear them down and find fault. Really? It angers and saddens me to see this part of our human nature.
I even had to film a video defending their paltry compensation.
You can see it here. It’s comical and ironic.
Why do we do this? It’s ridiculous.
Notice I say “we” as we are ALL capable of this and we all do it at times. We need to drive this side of our nature into a small corner and amplify the side that sees what’s right, good and positive about people, circumstances and causes.
There is an old Cherokee tale tells of a grandfather teaching life principles to his grandson. The wise old Cherokee said, son, on the inside of every person the battle is raging between two wolves. One wolf is evil. It’s angry, jealous, unforgiving, proud, and lazy. The other wolf is good. It is filled with love, kindness, humility, and encouragement. These two wolves are constantly fighting the grandfather said. The little boy thought about it and said grandfather, which wolf is going to win? The grandfather smiled and said which one ever you feed.
Sure there is always fault to find. No one or no thing is perfect. If you look for it you can find faulty brush strokes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Instead you should step back and take in the majesty of the entire ceiling. Look for, be inspired by and support the beauty in the totality of the movement.
Also know that as YOU ascend the ladder of success the bad wolves will come barking. Understand that it is just their jealous, angry and envious nature yapping. See them through the eyes of your good wolf. Be empathetic and forgive them for they know not what they do. Too much nourishment has been given to the wrong wolf for far too long.
I ask you, members of the SUCCESS Community, to sweep your own front porch first as an example to the rest of the world. Celebrate people’s successes. Amplify the good side of your nature. Put your attention and spotlight on what’s positive and good about people and circumstances around you—particularly if those people have dedicated themselves to doing good things for others.
As an entire species we need to nourish the good wolf side of our nature and starve the jealous, angry and envious wolf that battles inside us.
So, what is the verdict for Kony 2012? The pendulum continues to swing.
