This post is about the power of media. Whether it be videos, social media platforms, or the daily news, our world operates as a product of what we see and read on a daily basis. The ubiquitous media presence plays an undeniable role in establishing the truth we subscribe to each and every day.
Sitting in this cafe, there’s an ad to my left about beating cancer. To my right, a flyer for a website reporting the local news. Behind me, a stand with stacks of the Friday paper, and in front of me, my MacBook, where I’m creating this piece of media that I hope will catch your attention. Media is everywhere, fighting to grab our attention for 30 seconds at a time. I see it as a battle of good and evil, with a mass of gray area. Most media drives us towards consumption, but every once in a while something comes along and shakes the world…
Less than two weeks ago, Wendy Davis made waves when she stood up for something she believed in. Literally. Davis stood for 11 hours to filibuster controversial legislation. “…Rules of Texas filibusters forbid one from even leaning on something, let alone sitting down or taking a bathroom break.” Hundreds of thousands of people watched her do it live. Political agendas aside, it was a show of incredible strength and commitment.
Two years ago, Mohamed Bouazizi lit himself on fire and sparked a revolution across the Arab world. Millions watched as throngs of people filled Tahrir Square in Egypt demanding justice. They watched as Libyans overthrew the oppressive Gaddafi regime, and now they watch as Syrians struggle against Assad and his minions. (And as I write this, eyes are once again being drawn to Tahrir Square).
Ten years ago, Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey, and Laren Poole discovered the hidden atrocities of the LRA. Thousands of young people have since seen Invisible Children’s first film, The Rough Cut, and have been moved to action – including myself.
In 2012, a film about Joseph Kony and the LRA reached millions and was ranked as the most viral video of all time. #KONY2012 was trending for days, it was shared all over Facebook, every major news outlet was reporting on the story, and the big names were tweeting the link to the film. (We’re talking Ryan Seacrest & Oprah big). Some think you know how the story goes, that it ended with a public breakdown. While that was one part of the story, it couldn’t be further from the end. This past November, 10,000 people marched in DC demanding an end to LRA violence and the capture of Joseph Kony. Young people gave standing ovations to the world leaders best suited to seeing an end to this conflict, and watched as they committed their word to seeing it through (we have it all on tape, and plan to hold them to it).
So, that is the true power of media. The power to simultaneously educate and inspire. To shatter the dark lenses many of us wear, and reconstruct our truth through a story. To mobilize the masses and catch the attention of the powerful. We at Invisible Children believe that stories are the most powerful tool we possess, and media is the vehicle that carries our stories…
And you better believe we have more stories to tell.
Think people should hear about this?