WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT?

20 Replies

Posted by Mike Foster:

I have never met any one more passionate, heroic and dedicated as Jason Russell of Invisible Children. He and their amazing team have worked tirelessly to make this world a better place.

So this afternoon I started getting some texts about Jason. According to the IC website, he had been hospitalized after suffering from exhaustion, dehydration and malnutrition. These factors lead to an unfortunate incident that apparently a lot of people are talking about right now.

So a couple thoughts:

Here’s what I know. You don’t have to be scared or confused or worried or disappointed. Geesh! Jason is going to be just fine and so is IC. If you doubt that then you don’t know the courage and tenacity of these amazing people. Jason and Invisible Children have their best days ahead of them! And I will be gladly cheering them on.

Secondly, if you feel the need to say something then let me encourage you to raise your voice for grace. Add redemptive words to the conversation right now. For heaven’s sake, it’s not that hard but it does mean making a choice. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

But more importantly instead of talking about Jason…or the last 24 hours…and the TMZ video….and the blah blah blah….we continue to talk about the victimized children. We continue to raise our voice on their behalf. To make them visible and known. Don’t ever lose sight of that.

And if you feel the deep need to bash, throw rocks or to attack someone, let me direct you to Joseph Kony. The man who has wreaked havoc, and evil, and warfare on the most innocent victims. That’s worth talking about, tweeting about and reporting. Jason is not the story. It’s the kids of Central Africa and stopping Kony.

If you want to love on Jason, love on Africa. If you want support Invisible Children, then talk about Kony and the LRA.

Today we get to decide what’s truly important to us as a society. We determine our priorities. I’ve decided to talk about grace, compassion and the end of injustice. Why? Cuz that’s totally worth talking about.


  • Kari

    Very nice post!!!!

  • http://twitter.com/AshleyASmith ash

    THIS: Today we get to decide what’s truly important to us as a society. We
    determine our priorities. I’ve decided to talk about grace, compassion
    and the end of injustice.

  • http://www.mohan37.com/ mohan37

    thanks for being a voice of reason Mike!

  • http://twitter.com/JTarb Jeremy Tarbush

    There is the great point to show grace towards Jason and the Drunken or Dehydrated (history will tell) rampage. However, even Uganda says the #Kony2012 story was blown out of proportion.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bailey-Cox/509297940 Bailey Cox
  • http://twitter.com/timmyharris Timmy Harris

    Jeremy,

    You are clearly missing the point when it comes to grace and humility! Jason is human and is clearly in need of some help, and even though you recognize grace you also write backhanded comments about the matter! C’mon man… What would Jesus do?

    This is the time when we need to pray for him, his family and the whole of Invisible Children, not tear them down. Love overcomes all.

    Let’s commit to prayer for him and his family, not slam them like you have been tweeting!

  • Danielle

    Best post. I’ve committed that only redemptive words will come out of my mouth, but it’s disappointing that some can’t see the man behind the facts. Let’s not enjoy someone else’s mistake. I’m all for Jason and the amazing work he’s been doing. Praying for him and his young family.

  • http://www.JettFoto.com Corey Melton

    I was just disappointed that they didn’t give facts, instead they just lied it “away” in classic Hollywood style.

  • eyejammy
  • Matt Peterson

    Hey Mike, good word!  I hope that the conversation continues to focus on ending this hell on earth for these children.  Thanks again for sharing. -Matt

  • http://twitter.com/desirae_dawn Desirae Schneider

    I stand behind Jason, his heartbeat, and his movements. What an amazing community, leader, and amplification of grace and love. Proud to stand behind IC… Proud to be part of POTSC.

  • http://twitter.com/desirae_dawn Desirae Schneider

    I stand behind Jason, his heartbeat, and his movements. What an amazing community, leader, and amplification of grace and love. Proud to stand behind IC… Proud to be part of POTSC.

  • http://joycannis.wordpress.com/ Joy

    Mike!
    I LOVE this!!!
    I was just discussing this with several people last night.
    Of course the enemy is going to try and deter everyone from the real issue.
    I hope that Jason and the incredible people working for Invisible Children will be encouraged by, not only your words of wisdom and support, but also the fact that no one has ever made a positive impact in our world without great opposition.Â
    It’s a bummer that instead of looking at the years of dedication which I’m sure encompassed blood, sweat and tears that Jason and these incredible people have invested, people are focusing on this one thing that has happened.
    My prayer is for protection, truth, love and the light of the Father to surround Jason, his family and everyone working with and for him.
    Thank you for taking the time to write this! You are a voice that is heard and greatly respected.

  • http://rkweblog.com Rich Kirkpatrick

    Good reminder, Mike. Thank you.

  • NO

    Invisible Children has a past that includes funding by Christian extremist groups involved in
    fostering anti-gay hysteria in Uganda, including the pushing of
    legislation that would make homosexuality punishable by
    death. Is that what Jesus would do? Kill all the gays?

  • NO

     So, what about the fact Invisible Children is in part funded by extreme evangelical Christians promoting an anti-gay agenda in Uganda? Is that what Jesus would do? Kill all the gays?

  • Kate

    You might want to read this article:

    http://anglicanink.com/article/statement-church-uganda-kony-2012-video

    Many Ugandans are not very happy with IC.  Don’t you think you should take that into account? 

  • Gloria

    Even months after the fact, I appreciate this. I’ve been a longtime supporter of IC, even if I don’t always agree with their methods. I’m more than happy to agree to disagree with some things when there are greater things at stake… like children. My heart went out to Jason and IC and their families. I was so frustrated at my classmates (in a Masters of Social Work program… the ones who are supposed to be the most open-minded and non-judgemental…) as they tore him apart on Facebook. If anything, those that are chosen for a such public role in advocacy need support and compassion more than anything b/c everyone is watching. Everyone is throwing around their opinions and assuming they can do a better job. I’m so thankful the public media storm has passed and I pray he finds resilience in the aftermath.

  • Duncan

    He…………….ll…….o

  • Firebreather

    Any…one……….thare