Warped Tour was so much fun! I’m so glad I got the chance to go. I visited the Invisible Children tent and talked the volunteer’s ears off about how much I love IC and then Ashley and I donated money to a charity that helps supply art supplies to students that can’t afford them across the country, so we were able to paint ourselves (and paint ourselves we did). We watched two performances (Taking Back Sunday and We The Kings) And just listened to a few songs here and there from various bands. I bought a new IC shirt and a Warped Tour shirt. Unfortunately, I have the worst tan line ever on my chest, but I’m really okay with that. It was a fantastic day and I can’t wait to go to more concerts this year since I’ll actually have some money to spend. I hope all of you guys had a day as great as mine!

Kony 2012 Part II. 

Join the movement. 

Stop at nothing. 

Cover the Night is going to be so amazing! 

(Source: invisible, via dr-topherbrink)

I seriously love Invisible Children so incredibly much. I’m openly weeping at work and I don’t even care.

This is my “I’m so excited to talk to Briana from Invisible Children” face.

invisible:

This Thursday: Call-in day

This past Friday, President Obama made a historic announcement in a letter to Congress stating that the United States will be sending 100 military advisers to Central Africa to help protect civilians from LRA violence and bring LRA leader Joseph Kony to justice. For the past eight years Invisible Children activists have worked tirelessly — each one of you to the best of your abilities — to see the end of Africa’s longest running war. With last week’s announcement, the President made it clear that he saw your work, heard your voices, and he is with us in our mission.

The best step you can take now is raise your voice once more in DC, but this time we are saying thank you, loud and clear. The LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act, passed in May of 2010, paved the way for President Obama’s actions last week. That bill was powerful largely because of strong support from Democrats and Republicans in Congress — these are your representatives. So now, we want to take a moment to thank them and to ask that they continue to work with the President to see a permanent end to LRA violence.

Don’t be scared. This is really easy and super empowering. In fact, Jed just did it. Here’s the rundown:

1. Look up your representatives‘ information here http://whoismyrepresentative.com/. You’ll get numbers for your Representative and both of your Senators. Call all of them!

2. Call the number and say: -Your name -Why you are grateful for their support of the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Actand why you support President Obama’s decision to send military advisers to help stop LRA violence.

-Why stopping the LRA matters to you and what you’ve been doing to help.

-Your zip code That’s really it! No need to be nervous. The person on the other end of the line is most likely a young intern and it is their job to listen to you.

Who’s afraid to talk to someone who probably Facebooks just as much as you do? (After homework’s done, of course.)

Let’s make some phone calls!

I just called Senator Durbin to thank him for sponsoring the Trafficking Victims Protection Act! I was reading the speech that we could give in the e-mail and then I was like, “You know what? You’re really swell, and this world needs more swell people like you, so thanks so much for being a truly brilliant person. If you call back, I’ll even give you a haiku. So, thanks. Thanks so much.” 

Which is why I should begin working on my haiku. How does this sound?: 

We are so grateful, 

For everything you have done, 

Please, never give up. 

Not my best. I’ll work on it some more. Okay! Time to call and thank some more people! This is very exciting. 

First of all: they’re advising. And sure, for all we know, it could potentially escalate. Regardless, the 100 troops that are being deployed are not supposed to be involved in any form of combat. Their lives are in danger, yes. But so is any other person who travels to Africa, even if it’s for leisure. By entering the military, you’re doing what’s best for your country. Maybe people can’t see it right now, but who knows if in later years Africa won’t have resources that we desire? I know it’s a HUGE maybe, but still. Why make more enemies? 

Second of all: to the people who say that the people of Africa doesn’t want our help, that’s ridiculous. Just because they have people like Joseph Kony running a muck, saying that America isn’t any good, doesn’t mean that should represent Africa as whole. I’m sure any of the people who were tortured by the LRA would say that they would welcome any form of aid they can get. Once again, we’re not making any enemies. And if we are making enemies, it’s with people like Joseph Kony and it’s not like we needed to be allies with people like him anyway. 

Lastly: I severely hate it when people say, “it’s none of our business.” Okay. It’s none of our business. When we’re in trouble and no one comes to help us (because I’m sure somewhere down the line something like that will happen), the people who say stuff like that better write an apology. We can’t not help people because we have problems of our own. If we all had that mentality, nothing would ever get done. That’s WHY there are so many organizations out there. That’s why people get the help that they need. It’s why people get job offers and why people get accepted to certain colleges. Because all of the time, someone is helping someone else. So, why should it matter if this person we’re helping is from a different country? It just doesn’t make sense to me. 

Now, I’m not saying I’m not open to arguments. I’m not saying I’m right. All I’m saying is that I’m hurt. I know what I’m doing, the help I’m providing, is right. I just wish that other people could see it as that as well. I definitely do not feel like that is wrong at all. I’m doing my best to help. I’m doing what I feel is right. And that’s what matters.