"Kony 2012" reactions distort message
The “Kony 2012” video and campaign have taken young people and most of the world by storm. The video has been seen all over the world and has sparked much controversy.
Adding to the drama, Jason Russell, the video’s director, was detained last Thursday after displaying erratic behavior in a San Diego neighborhood. When police found him, he was partially nude and was reported to have run the length of local streets yelling and pounding his fists on the sidewalk.
Because of the accusations against her husband of being intoxicated at the time of the arrest, Danica Russell wrote that Jason has never had a drug or alcohol problem. She blamed his behavior on the stress the video has put on her family. It is clear that Danica stands completely behind her husband in his humanitarian efforts.
“The message of the film remains the same,” she wrote. “Stop at nothing.”
It is obvious that the Russells and possibly the Invisible Children foundation did not properly prepare for the publicity that followed the release of the video. Because the topic discussed is so delicate, it was bound for debate and fame. This lack of preparation will only cause the video to gain a reputation that distorts its message and sheds an unfavorable light on efforts to fight Kony’s legacy in Uganda. The Russell incident, taken with the negative online backlash to “Kony 2012,” should not stand in the way of sincere efforts to engage in international service or to raise awareness of lingering crimes against human rights.
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