As a movie buff today's topic really excites me. I think that people today almost demand that you have some type of multi-media coverage of an issue if you want their attention...and I freely admit I am just as much a part of this culture as the next guy. As I learned from Rich Stearn's book, World Vision pretty much owes its early and quick-rising success to the use of a camera by its founder Bob Pierce back in the '50s. He documented his travels to far-off impoverished lands, and for the first time affluent Americans saw the awful face of poverty elsewhere in the world. Whether you love technology or hate it, it can be a very helpful tool to help blind eyes see. How can we use the advanced technology we have been privileged with to raise awareness about poverty elsewhere in the world?
Personal:
One way is to use film. The film industry pulls in billions of dollars every year. James Cameron's Avatar has made over 2 billion dollars alone this year. In addition, did you know that the United States' number one export is media? We are the world's media hub, sending out trillions of images and messages every year into the world, and pulling in lots of dough. It's time that the voice of the impoverished break into the media and are heard.
Action:
Did you consider hosting a documentary night to help raise awareness? How hard could this be? We truly have so many resources at our disposal.
How about making your own movie. Use the "Six Week Quest" link, and check out some of the suggestions for making a documentary or hosting a documentary dessert night. Pick a date sometime in the next month when you'll invite some friends over to watch a movie dealing with poverty and injustice. Make sure to have some suggestions for how people can help fix the problem they see in the movie.
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that sounds like a great idea (documentary night to raise awareness)
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