All posts in: Invisible Children

17 Mar 2012

Let’s Chat About Jason Russell

Whenever news is released about Invisible Children, KONY 2012, and Jason Russell these days, I have to usually take a few hours off from blogging before I write something about it. I needed to go into  this with a clear head. I mean, if the guy is going for shock value though, then he is hitting it up in ALL the right places. You’ve really got my attention now, Jason. Do your strange behaviors still make me want to join your KONY 2012 army. Hell to the no! But you are providing some fuel to this genocide fire that is making me consider a few other things.

As soon as I heard about the incident this afternoon, I’ll admit, I was quick to judge. Every ounce of credibility that he had put into this project went completely out the window. In the original article from TMZ, I read that he had experienced exhaustion, dehydration, and malnutrition. Aren’t…these things that would lower your energy levels? I’m no health expert and I don’t want to come off ignorant, but there’s no denying that this is strange behavior. I shared the article on Facebook because no one had broken the news yet and I’m a blogger so that’s what I do. Twitter users were coming up with the cleverest hashtags and jokes; the entire situation was kind of a joke and a little bit unbelievable. A friend of mine who grew up in the same city as Jason and considered him a family friend called the situation “unfortunate” and “sad.” And then…I almost immediately regretted my posting. Jason Russell is not only a guy who was made famous by trying to make some other criminal famous, but he is a guy that has been working towards raising awareness for Invisible Children through the release of his documentary for five years. He’s a husband and a father. And one crazy outburst kind of ruined that for him.

Do I believe Jason Russell can come back from this? Maybe, but it won’t be anytime soon. When the KONY 2012 video came out, it tugged at the heart strings of every social media user. He was someone to look up to…but so was Britney Spears. Remember when she freaked out, shaved her head, and lunged at the paps with an umbrella? Yeah, that was pretty nuts too and some had sympathized with her, but the majority didn’t get over it for some time – years even. She did not, however, take off her clothes, vandalize cars, and did you-know-what in the middle of the street at 11:30AM.

Jason Russell, thank you for bringing us to reality and showing us that you are human too . These things happen. We hope you get well soon because Kony is still out there and we only have until the end of 2012. But seriously, take care of yourself and get the help you need.

For full coverage of the incident, click here.

For some strange video that Jason and the gang made to raise awareness in 2006, watch the video below. Did I mention that this was made in 2006?! They look like an Invisible Children boy band. You ain’t no J-Timberlake.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWACLKaOC08]