Week 8- KONY Activist Has Mental Breakdown. Suprisingly Senstionalized By The Press!!!!!! and The Woes of Giving Up the Double Double.

Nothing particularly exciting to discuss. 

Interesting notes:

1.)    I was extremely disappointed to hear about Jason Russell’s (Face of KONY Movement video) extremely public, practically naked, mental breakdown at a busy intersection at Pacific Beach, San Diego last week.  However, of course, the media were right there to sensationalize the incident right off the bat.  I believe he was under a great deal of pressure. The media manipulated the attention. There's no proof he was masturbating. I saw the TMZ clip. It's very sad that this man is going through this. It's clear he's in a lot of pain. The amount of media scrutiny he's been onslaught with, along with huge amounts of negative criticism would be trying for anyone. From various interviews, he seems like a kind- hearted, well spoken, man. While it certainly is understandable this will draw the wrong type of attention, I don't think it takes away from the good that he's done. I say it's far more likely that he simply had a full on nervous mental breakdown, over him being a pervert by any means. Besides, he would have been arrested if that's the case. At present, I understand he's still being held on a 5150 in a mental hospital. I hope he gets well soon and back to doing what's passionate to him: helping people with the best intentions.

2.)    Following last week’s, vegetarian movement discussion, I’ve decided to try it out for a bit of time just to see how it works for me (seafood okay).  I like meat.  I really do.  However, I’m becoming concerned with the health issues.  I’ve gained weight in the past 6-9 months.  I think my metabolism has slowed down significantly.  I’m tired a lot these days too and find I struggle to focus.  Ugh, my 30s.  My kids don’t eat much meat anyway.  I buy almost all organic food to begin with, so why not?  I’m up for finding better ways to live.   

So in a possible bid to change my lifestyle, I had to begin with an assessment.  But upon taking an actual inventory of my weekly diet, I realized I hadn’t purchased red meat for home food preparation in over a year.   In fact, I purchase very little meat within my home anyway, focusing mostly on seafood (because I love it).  Most of the meat consumption for my family comes from dining out.   Surprising.  This is generally from fast food, which I’ve been trying to limit for a time anyway. 

It’s particularly easy because I got food poisoning last week.  And while I’m better for the most                 Part, I’m still a bit queasy with heavy meals.  It’s been a several days now.  The first day, I thought about giving up meat and found myself at in n out burger in the evening, dying for a hamburger.  So without strict limitations, I’ve been sticking to it fairly easily.  I also ordered several films promoting healthier lifestyles- forks over knives, and fast food nation (mostly to scare myself).  We’ll see how it goes.  Interesting point, I ordered a couple pizzas last night (so much for backing off the fast food).  Anyway, one with meat for the kids and a vegetarian one for me and of course went to eat Abby’s leftovers (the joys of motherhood) only to find her sausage and pepperoni pizza grossed me out at the first bite.  Interesting… 

Week 7- KONY Movement

So I want to talk about something off topic this week.  We studied the nature movement, and that’s fantastic.  I like nature, I like camping, I don’t want it to go away and so forth.  But there’s a huge to-do this week regarding the KONY movement and I’m all about it.

Invisible Children (IC) is an organization dedicated to bringing down Joseph Kony, war criminal and leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army.  The not-for- profit organization is leading a crusade to popularizing Kony in hopes of drawing enough societal pressure from the masses to maintain US and force international government aid.  The marketing campaign released by the group has garnered massive media attention.  Their flashy YouTube video has reached 27 million views within days of its posting.  Inevitably the organization has become a target for criticizers.    Let’s consider a few of these arguments.

1.       Joseph Kony is no longer a threat.  He is dying or starving somewhere. Uganda is safe.

a.       This is fantastic news.  But that doesn’t mean he is permitted to go free.  He must pay for his crimes.  His victims deserve justice.  Nazi officers are still being tried for their war crimes today.  Criminals need to understand that at some point, they will have to face the law.  Invalid argument.

2.       There are more pressing matters in Africa right now.

a.       Of course there are.  There are pressing matters everywhere.  It’s really a matter of opinion anyway- what’s more important than this is that… IC is seeking to bring a bad man to justice.  This issue matters to the founders of IC.  This is a good thing.

3.       Americans need to worry about what’s going on in America and not focus on the rest of the world.

a.       When the day comes, that a human being turns a blind eye to the suffering and rape of children anywhere, they cease to be a human being.  Period.  I love being an American.  I am a citizen of the planet Earth first and foremost.

4.       IC only sent 30 some odd percent of its donations to Africa.

a.       This one kills me.  They are not a charity claiming to build hospitals, feed starving babies, immunize children… they’re marketers!  They make that point very clear.  That flashy YouTube video probably cost a fortune to make.  It costs me $10 to print stuff out on campus somedays.  One wonder how much it costs to print a million flyers, erect billboards, fly all over the world to spread the word, hotels, meals, maintain a staff, offices, etc.  Come on people!!  They sent money over to build a school and emergency communication system.  Good for them.  Some 3 mil. from what I understand.  That’s 3 mil more than I sent. What about you?

5.       They pay themselves too much. 

a.       So from the website Charity Navigator, we see the three principles are earning in the 80k range.  People, that’s not a lot.  I get we’re in a recession, but based in San Diego, CA, 80k is relatively moderate for the average working class family.  I really hate people that hate on other people because they make more money.  I’m very sorry you’re not well off right now.  But it’s clear these individuals have worked very hard, put in many hours, and have earned a decent income due to their innovation.  Pay yourselves a little more, I don’t care.  But I digress, that’s a whole other blog.

Anyway, to sum up, IC may turn out to be a far from perfect organization.  They could end up being frauds, who knows.  But their redefinement of social media activism is historical.  This group has caught worldwide attention in days; they’ve used FB and twitter to call for the arrest of a horrible war criminal.  I fail to see how this could be reasonably criticized.  Aside from the trendiness that KONY bracelets will ensue amongst high school kids in the coming weeks, there will be at least one person.  One.  One child perhaps that will be inspired.  Inspired to make a difference and champion for a better tomorrow.  Doesn’t that make IC worthwhile?  A success already?  Let’s look at the bigger picture people.  People all over the world, 27 mil. thought beyond themselves for 30 min.  In a world of ego and ethnocentrism run rampant, this means something!!  I’m a history student- likely on my way towards a masters in the subject next year.  I take everything with a grain of salt.  It’s second nature for me to think critically and analytically.  Sure, don’t just jump on the KONY bandwagon, but don’t hop on the criticism train just to rebel against the trend either.  

I choose to see the big picture.  People are helping each other.  Who are you to point your finger and judge?  If you don’t like the way things are run, do something yourself and do it better.  But, do not, do not criticize others who are making the world a better place just because they’re doing it in ways you don’t see fit.  

http://kony2012.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=12429

Week 6- Nuclear Movement and guilt.

So, I haven’t started my internship yet.  I’ve been guiltily putting it off knowing I’ll be able to start the weekly office work later, and then fulfilling the remainder hours requirement working at a day- long event.  This is bad. It’s starting to pick at my conscience more and more every day.  My project manager, Brandon, has not been in touch with me the last two weeks, as he’s been swamped setting up their Spring/ Summer schedule.  But I think it’s time to get going.  I’ll give Brandon a call next week (after midterm papers and finished and submitted) and get going on it.

Aside from that, my thoughts of the week are that I’m tired.  I’m really looking forward to Spring break.  And I can’t believe we’re only 6 weeks into the semester.  

We studied the nuclear movement this week.  I really enjoyed the film clip.  It was an important reminder how activism at the grass roots level is so important.  Parents, concerned over the safety of their children, were able to take on a huge corporation shutting down their local nuclear power plant.  These people actually shut down a nuclear power plant!!  I love it!  And in the process have been able to share their information, process, and goals with others enabling people to promote a safer future.  It took them many years to accomplish these objectives, but perseverance and patience were clearly two factors necessary to their success.