In the light of the present "Kony" debate and the criticisms of the "Invisible Children", I am motivated to ask the question: Just what are we passing on to the next generation? For amidst the politics, finances, accusations of naivety are a growing number of young people who have a sense of injustice and a passionate desire to confront it, expose it and transform it.
Isn't there something even deeper than Justice at stake here? Or protecting the rights of innocent children? I suggest that what is actually at stake is what we are giving to the next generation of leaders. What exactly are we passing on?
A sense of futility perhaps? or hopelessness? or in a world filled with corporate greed and hidden agendas the idea that the fight for human rights and justice is naive? or just too complicated to comprehend?
Yes, the film exposing Kony was sensational, yes it may have over-simplified the issues, but what it has also done is given hope to a generation of young people that they can have a voice, and make a difference and be champions of justice in a world filled with corruption at every level.
That's huge. Massive. Significant.
I really hope that Kony is found and Justice is delivered. I hope that there is an end to the current abuse of children in Uganda and throughout the world. I hope that we will all appreciate the need to carry a sense of responsibility for what happens in our world. But more than anything else I hope that we can pass on to the next generation the self belief, the courage, the confidence, to believe they can not just stand against oppression however it manifests itself, but that they can transform it and ultimately defeat it.
Some will say I am a hopeless idealist. Perhaps I am. But I'm crystal clear about what I want to pass on, are you?
No comments:
Post a Comment