© 2024 Jeff Shuck.
Invisible Children
Yesterday I posted to the Plenty blog one of the more powerful and personal pieces I've written in quite a while. It is about Nigeria and Central Africa -- and it is also about you, me, and our role in creating justice. I hope you will give it a few minutes of your time. The text of the article is here.
Here is another nice and different take on the Fourth Estate Leadership Summit. Worth reading. I am in two of the three pictures in the post. (Hint: I am not Jason Russell.)
One of the coolest things I've ever been a part of.
I'm writing after four days at the Fourth Estate Leadership Summit, the youth leadership conference of Invisible Children. It is hard to describe the amount of concentrated purity and light that filled the auditorium during the final session last night. Suffice it to say that I'm infused with so much residual passion and energy that I'm writing this from the ceiling of my hotel room, where I've been floating for the last 12 hours.
I've made no secret about my admiration and support for Invisible Children, not despite of but because of their willingness to embrace creative, nontraditional, and sometimes plain wacky methods to illustrate the radical idea that we each can make change in the world, and so we each should.
Occasionally when I talk to people about my relationship with Invisible Children there's a pause from the other person and then a veiled criticism: "Oh, yeah, wow they try some different things. That must be interesting." I push the bait aside and rush right into the breach. The fact is, I say, that innovation by definition looks different from the norm, and aren't we filled with gratitude for the innovators among us for showing us a better way? When this comment is lost on the other person I know I can move on in search of more inspired conversation.
In any case, because of what I do I attend a lot of nonprofit events, and while there are better ones and weaker ones, many events feel like they were designed by someone who assumes the audience understands and cares. What I love about Invisible Children is that they turn this around – they show you why they themselves understand and care, and then they create something inspired and joyful and poignant that invites you into a deeper understanding. In other words, they don't assume you get it. They assume you don't – but also, importantly, assume you will if you are just shown why.
Their conference had some speeches and break-out sessions like all conferences. In fact, their "traditional" content was some of the best I've ever seen, including the speech from Samantha Power, newly confirmed U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, pictured above. But the Fourth Estate also had dance and musical performances and dozens of incredibly well-done movies and choreography and audience interaction. I felt engaged and part of the event: a participant, not an attendee. The Fourth Estate was inspiring and engaging and emotional, and more than anything, fun. When was the last time you went to a conference that you described as "fun"?
Reverend John Jenkins, the President of Notre Dame University, said in his inaugural address, "If we are afraid to be different from the world, how can we make a difference in the world?"
The fact is that all of us are trying to create change, and change by definition means DIFFERENT. It is hard to cure cancer, create literacy, build schools, fight injustice, reclaim green space, or [insert your cause here] by doing the same things that everyone else does.
The next time you are planning an event or program or initiative and you hear people around you telling you "That's not the way we're supposed to do it," keep pushing, because you might be on to something groundbreaking. Invisible Children is not afraid to be different, and that more than anything is the reason that they are moving the needle of change. More, please!
A quick post for all parents of teens 14 years or older: If you are trying to help your teen come up with a constructive, positive, career-building, memorable answer to the question "How did you spend your summer?" then look no further than the 4th Estate Leadership Summit, this August in Los Angeles. $495 includes food, lodging, and three days of curriculum from over 30 nonprofits.
It is going to be fantastic, and a lot more exciting than day camp, intramural softball, or tending the fry cooker.
As you may know I’m thrilled to be on the Advisory Council of Invisible Children. Some great things are coming up next week — specifically their newest movie, MOVE.
The film premieres on Oct 7 at 7:00PM PDT at KONY2012.com. It takes a behind-the-scenes look into the eye of the KONY 2012 storm, its aftermath, and the great experiment of social change we all desperately need.
Prior to the film’s online release, Jason Russell will appear on Oprah’s Next Chapter in his first on-air interview since March. The interview will air at 9/8c on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Over the last year I’ve gotten to know this group personally and I will tell you — they are the real deal. The IC team is totally committed to creating a better world and totally certain that each one of us has something to offer in the process. If you’re already a supporter, I encourage you to join us online on the 7th. If you’re a skeptic, or a cynic, I encourage you to choose heart over havoc and get on board.
There’s work to be done, and together we can do it. Proud to be a part.
This video stands alone, although at the risk of undermining its power I’ll add a brief introduction. I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to meet the incredible team at Invisible Children. I was moved and inspired by their passion, the tactical nature of their ask, their undeniable progress towards their goal, the single-mindedness of their mission, and the spirit of the entire operation.
I’m so proud to share this video and to count myself as a supporter of Kony 2012. Very, very worth watching.