Whether or not we can agree upon the success of the KONY 2012 video, we can agree that the corruption in central Africa must be addressed. Regardless of the accusations against the organization, this campaign for social justice has opened our eyes to remind us all that there are big things happening in this world and that we have an obligation to educate ourselves about them. Let’s harness the emotional and critical energy that we have gained from watching the video campaign and direct it towards efforts for a just cause. We need not let our interest fade with KONY 2012 as social justice movements around the world – and within the United States – seek our involvement and our attention. Let the KONY 2012 movement start an even greater trend for inquiry and action.
I understand KONY 2012 as a movement calling upon us to defend the value of human life by ending the threat of war criminals like Joseph Kony. Considering what I have learned from both the supporters and the criticizers of the movement, I believe that the goodness of this cause for social justice is worth my involvement. If nothing else, I implore you to let this call to justice inspire you to act. The same way that generations have before us, let this be our time to impact human history and to change the lives of the invisible children who are counting on us. Let’s make Kony infamous.
This is the opinion of Erica Lopez, a junior communication studies major and English minor from Orange County, Calif. Please send comments to ktran@theloyolan.com.
However, Sánchez quoted Chávez and said, “I take [the] words of Chávez very seriously” when regarding their implications of social justice and compassion.
The service concluded with LMU students, faculty and staff members reading Chávez’s Prayer of the Farm Workers’ Struggle, which embodied his legacy by saying: “Grant me courage to serve others; for in service there is true life."
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Prayer of the Farm Workers' Struggle
Show me the suffering of the most miserable;
So I will know my people's plight.
Free me to pray for others;
For you are present in every person.
Help me take responsibility for my own life;
So that I can be free at last.
Grant me courage to serve others;
For in service there is true life.
Give me honesty and patience;
So that the Spirit will be alive among us.
Let the Spirit flourish and grow;
So that we will never tire of the struggle.
Let us remember those who have died for justice;
For they have given us life.
Help us love even those who hate us;
So we can change the world.
Amen
Written by César E. Chávez, UFW Founder (1927-1993)
Copyright César E. Chávez Foundation