One of the most bizarre and amazing things about life is that we never know how the things we do will affect those around us. We go through life acting and making decisions that we deem fit, never really knowing how our actions shape and impact the people in our lives. I don’t think Mr. Dominguez; my 10th grade Spanish teacher knew that when he played “ Kony 2012” for my class that he would change my life. Kony 2012” is a 29-minute documentary, released March 5, 2012 by Invisible Children, as a part of the stop Kony movement, that instantly went viral.. This documentary focused on the plight of the children in Uganda at the hands of Joseph Kony, leader of the LRA (Lords Resistance Army). At the hands of Kony and the LRA thousands of children are turned into sex slaves, mutilated, forced into fighting for the LRA and ironically enough massacred if they resisted the LRA. I doubt Mr. Dominguez intended to completely change my plans for what I wanted to do when I grew up. Regardless of his intent he in fact changed my life and I am forever indebted to him. Prior to watching “Kony 2012”I was completely certain that I wanted to be a psychologist. However after watching this film my idea of my life goals changed drastically.
Knowing Mr. Dominguez I know he intended on showing “ Kony 2012” as a way to give his class a glimpse into the current injustices that were present in our current society. I’m sure he merely wanted us to just be more conscious of our struggling counterparts all over the world and be more grateful for what we have. Upon watching this video I was overcome with a number of emotions. I was immensely angry and disgusted with Kony and the LRA. I was completely sorrowful and heartbroken for his victims. I was happy for David, one of the young men who escaped Kony and like everyone else fell in love with co-founder of Invisible Inc., Jason Russell’s little son. Most importantly I was overcome with a feeling of purpose and inspiration.
Invisible Inc. did not want viewers to merely watch the documentary, post a few inspiring post on twitter and then leave the fight against the LRA for the Ugandan people. Cover The Night was a campaign that aimed to literally cover cities around the world with murals and pictures of Kony to pressure government into taking a stronger approach against Kony and the LRA. Cover The Night was scheduled a month after “Kony 2012” was released and I knew I would be apart of it at any cost. One would assume this radical mentality was just a symptom of watching this powerful film, but it wasn’t. The night that the “covering” was to take place, I had a bad headache, my mother was sick, I would have to lie to her to be able to leave and I overall had a bad day. Nonetheless, despite everything that wasn’t working in my favor I was just as passionate about this issue as I was a month ago and I would indeed cover the night! I dragged my best friend with me, I was 16 years old and I wasn’t to sure about how legal our actions were. I didn’t care about how much trouble I got in, this was a chance for me to a part of something bigger than myself and it was worth it!
Prior to this time in my life I thoroughly believed I wanted to be a psychologist. I knew I had a passion for helping others and I believed that being a psychologist was the best way to achieve this. My eyes were open upon watching: “Kony 2012”. I was thinking minimally. The way I will help my brothers and sisters throughout the world who were struggling was not by sitting in a room, and asking my patients “ what do you see in this picture?” For me to completely achieve the impact I wanted, I would have to do so much more.
Covering the night against Kony and in solidarity with his victims was only the beginning. I knew whether it was advocating for victims of oppression, challenging their oppressors, tackling global warming or fighting for animal’s rights, making the world a better place is my life’s mission. No matter the cost I will try my best to help others. I will speak against evil. Mr. Dominguez took a step to spread awareness of this issue to help those struggling and he helped me. He helped me see where my greatest potential lied and I will pay his goal forward. I will leave my mark on the lives of so many. With Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel’s wise words always as a motivation “ We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented” I will help to make this world a better place! Asamia Diaby
Professor Selin Kalostyan
ENG 111.03FY- English Composition 1
September 26, 2014
Mi Misiòn Vidas- My Life’s Mission
One of the most bizarre and amazing things about life is that we never know how the things we do will affect those around us. We go through life acting and making decisions that we deem fit, never really knowing how our actions shape and impact the people in our lives. I don’t think Mr. Dominguez; my 10th grade Spanish teacher knew that when he played “ Kony 2012” for my class that he would change my life. Kony 2012” is a 29-minute documentary, released March 5, 2012 by Invisible Children, as a part of the stop Kony movement, that instantly went viral.. This documentary focused on the plight of the children in Uganda at the hands of Joseph Kony, leader of the LRA (Lords Resistance Army). At the hands of Kony and the LRA thousands of children are turned into sex slaves, mutilated, forced into fighting for the LRA and ironically enough massacred if they resisted the LRA. I doubt Mr. Dominguez intended to completely change my plans for what I wanted to do when I grew up. Regardless of his intent he in fact changed my life and I am forever indebted to him. Prior to watching “Kony 2012”I was completely certain that I wanted to be a psychologist. However after watching this film my idea of my life goals changed drastically.
Knowing Mr. Dominguez I know he intended on showing “ Kony 2012” as a way to give his class a glimpse into the current injustices that were present in our current society. I’m sure he merely wanted us to just be more conscious of our struggling counterparts all over the world and be more grateful for what we have. Upon watching this video I was overcome with a number of emotions. I was immensely angry and disgusted with Kony and the LRA. I was completely sorrowful and heartbroken for his victims. I was happy for David, one of the young men who escaped Kony and like everyone else fell in love with co-founder of Invisible Inc., Jason Russell’s little son. Most importantly I was overcome with a feeling of purpose and inspiration.
Invisible Inc. did not want viewers to merely watch the documentary, post a few inspiring post on twitter and then leave the fight against the LRA for the Ugandan people. Cover The Night was a campaign that aimed to literally cover cities around the world with murals and pictures of Kony to pressure government into taking a stronger approach against Kony and the LRA. Cover The Night was scheduled a month after “Kony 2012” was released and I knew I would be apart of it at any cost. One would assume this radical mentality was just a symptom of watching this powerful film, but it wasn’t. The night that the “covering” was to take place, I had a bad headache, my mother was sick, I would have to lie to her to be able to leave and I overall had a bad day. Nonetheless, despite everything that wasn’t working in my favor I was just as passionate about this issue as I was a month ago and I would indeed cover the night! I dragged my best friend with me, I was 16 years old and I wasn’t to sure about how legal our actions were. I didn’t care about how much trouble I got in, this was a chance for me to a part of something bigger than myself and it was worth it!
Prior to this time in my life I thoroughly believed I wanted to be a psychologist. I knew I had a passion for helping others and I believed that being a psychologist was the best way to achieve this. My eyes were open upon watching: “Kony 2012”. I was thinking minimally. The way I will help my brothers and sisters throughout the world who were struggling was not by sitting in a room, and asking my patients “ what do you see in this picture?” For me to completely achieve the impact I wanted, I would have to do so much more.
Covering the night against Kony and in solidarity with his victims was only the beginning. I knew whether it was advocating for victims of oppression, challenging their oppressors, tackling global warming or fighting for animal’s rights, making the world a better place is my life’s mission. No matter the cost I will try my best to help others. I will speak against evil. Mr. Dominguez took a step to spread awareness of this issue to help those struggling and he helped me. He helped me see where my greatest potential lied and I will pay his goal forward. I will leave my mark on the lives of so many. With Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel’s wise words always as a motivation “ We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented” I will help to make this world a better place!
