COLUMN: Eventually, everyone will have to move
There are a lot of options for weekend plans throughout the semester.
While some are fortunate enough to be able to travel and relax every weekend, my plans typically range from studying to studying, with a little bit of studying in between.
However, a few weeks ago I decided to do a bit more than sit around and learn from a textbook. I needed to move.
I joined 10 other CMU students who got in buses, cars and airplanes to get ourselves to Washington, D.C., Nov. 17 for Invisible Children’s MOVE: D.C. event.
Yes, those crazy Kony people.
We joined a group of 10,000 like-minded individuals to listen to leaders from the United States, the European Union, the United Nations, the International Criminal Court and several African nations that Saturday morning, while other people our age were probably nursing hangovers.
We then marched to the White House and Washington Monument in matching Kony 2012 shirts, banners and signs to show that we aren’t the slacktivists so many thought we were.
Sure, I will admit that some people watched the Kony 2012 video last March, bought a bracelet, shared the link and felt they did their civic duty.
But our goal was to prove wrong everyone who said this was the future of activism. We believe it is far from it. This is why we showed up that day in D.C.
While spreading the word about human rights abuses is incredibly useful, it is even more important to continue to engage the people who can bring the abuses to an end and remind people that we are serious about wanting peace despite any roadblocks that may be put in the way.
Roadblocks like construction on Pennsylvania Avenue. Or naked meltdowns.
Less than two weeks after the Kony 2012 video went viral last March, the director Jason Russell was seen walking naked through his neighborhood in San Diego.
While it gave many an excuse to discredit the movement, many kept fighting the uphill battle.
Russell is thankfully in good health again, and on Nov. 17 was able to make jokes about his breakdown.
When giving us instructions for the march, Russell told us to be respectful and not to do anything he did in March.
This refreshing humor shows us that we have overcome the roadblock and will continue on our journey to bring Joseph Kony to justice.
After all, you can lead or you can follow, but eventually, everyone will have to move.
Caitlin Cheevers is president of the registered student organization Invisible Children at Central Michigan University.
