It was a trending topic on Twitter when it was first released. The videos filled the newsfeeds of Facebook users across the globe. “Kony 2012” affected teenage and college-aged people in a way that is almost unheard of. Politics became a priority over celebrities.
And this is a great thing. It is great to see non-political students wanting to get involved. It is encouraging to know that our generation can carry a passion for something that is so monumental that a 30-minute political campaign video has almost 84 million views in three weeks.
But are students really being political, or are they, as many Invisible Children and Kony 2012 skeptics would say, jumping on the bandwagon?
Arguments against the organization, its founders and the Kony 2012 concept include financial claims, misleading supporters and exaggeration of the human right problems in Africa.
Many skeptics are also claiming that those reposting Kony 2012 on their social media sites might be reposting the videos and talking about how it is a problem, but are not actually doing anything to become actively involved in the program or to get more information about the claims made against Invisible Children.
How many of those who viewed “Kony 2012” actually went to the Invisible Children website to learn more about the organization? How many of the people who are claiming to be moved by the video are donating their money or time to the cause?
Whether or not you support or oppose the Kony 2012 movement, it is important for students to remember to educate themselves and, if they feel passionate, to take action.
“Kony 2012” has 84 million views. If half of that number of people somehow worked to find Kony, by either donating a dollar or donating 10 minutes, think how quickly that could add up. That is $42 million or 7 million hours of donated time.
The same is true with any political campaign. We are in the midst of the 2012 presidential campaigns, and students should use that mindset when choosing whom to support. Students should not only research each candidate, but remember to vote, too.
If young people are willing to show interest in politics, they should do it the correct way. Whether it is voting for the next president or supporting Invisible Children, don’t just read what friends post on Facebook or Twitter and think you are well aware of the current political situation. Take action and do something about it. Watch the video or read the policies, research the organization, research the cause, research the people involved and make a well-informed political decision so action can be taken.
Teenagers and college-age adults shouldn’t be making political decisions based on what is seen on Facebook, Twitter or even what students have been taught to believe by family but make a decision on their own.