2012 has yet to kick the bucket, but the year has already been shaped by events that we only wish weren’t true. Some have been horrifyingly entertaining while others are just downright sickening. Either way, these true-to-life stories are cautionary tales that speak of the beast in man and how we are our own worst enemies. That, or we’re just ridiculously stupid at times.
Let’s get on with the list!
Kony 2012
In March 5, 2012, a video surfaced on Youtube from Invisible Children, Inc. about Joseph Kony, head of the Ugandan guerrilla group Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Twenty nine minutes is all it takes for viewers to learn of the horrible acts perpetrated by the LRA in Central Africa. The group has been revealed in the film to coerce children into military training and slay them if they refuse. One of the children murdered due to this very reason is the brother of Jacob Acaye, who is the focal point of the film.
The documentary is told in the perspective of Jason Russell, maker of the film and co-founder of Invisible Children, who befriended Acaye during his visit to Africa in 2003. The compelling video spread like wildfire when it was first released. #KONY2012, the Twitter hashtag showing support to Invisible Children’s motives of getting Kony arrested by the end of the year, was trending for days. As of writing, the video has accumulated 93 million views and still counting. The Stop Kony charity was receiving a lot of support from the public with the help of American celebrities and politicians. Up to that point, the campaign was a resounding success.
In March 16, 2012, all credibility of Mr. Russell went out the window when he was caught on camera walking on the streets of San Diego drunk and spewing about the devil and some “curse.” In the nude. In broad daylight. While touching himself.
Mr. Russell was brought to the station to explain his irrational behavior. Apparently, his sudden rise to popularity due to the video caught him off-guard and caused him a great deal of stress during this period. Although Mr. Russell has gotten over that debacle, it remains regrettably disappointing that the freight train movement with aims at ushering social change had to get caught up with the video creator’s bizarre and creepy antics.
Kristen Stewart: Trampire
If there’s anything worse than the over-hyped and overly mediocre Twilight Saga, it has to be the fanfare received by Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart upon teaming up for the film adaptation of the bestselling novel in 2008. Taking both out of context, RPat and KStew (the last time people referred to them) are attractive people that look even more perfect together. Their relationship came under greater scrutiny when both refused to acknowledge their status in public, just when they were gaining more momentum as Hollywood’s power couple with every Twilight installment. Regardless, when the smoke cleared, both seem to be at ease and happy together, which is all the answer people need.
All good things must come to an end, however, when pictures showing Stewart and Snow White and the Huntsman director Rupert Sanders getting too comfortable for the public eye were leaked in late July. That proof of indiscretion took not only Twilight fans by surprise, but also all of Hollywood. Some celebrities and talk show hosts took pot shots at Stewart, with Will Ferrell playing a skit on Conan, crying because his favorite celebrity couple has broken up and referring to Stewart as a trampire. Good stuff.
With all the drama that unfolded – Pattinson moved out from their joint home in Los Angeles and cut all ties with Stewart – they nonetheless patched things up and are now seen together regularly. Whether or not their reconciliation is merely a ruse to drive more interest to the final film of the series (Breaking Dawn Part 2) remains to be seen. Bring out more popcorn!
Real-life Barbie exists!
Although getting some work done on your face to resemble your favorite celebrity is nothing new in today’s world, revamping your appearance to look exactly like someone or, in this case, something, is treading on uncharted territory.
Twenty-one-year-old Russian Valeria Lukyanova is the closest thing to a real-life Barbie counterpart. She has the facial features down pat, not to mention the extremely small waistline and the extremely huge chest, which is strikingly similar to the proportions of a Barbie doll. The jury’s still out on whether or not her appearance has been surgically enhanced in achieving Barbie’s look, since her look can be achieved through makeup. Regardless, the bigger question is: how much are you willing to undergo the knife to look like something you’re not?
Amanda Todd’s suicide
Back then, bullying was limited to catcalls, nasty pranks, and after-class beat-downs Most of these take place within the vicinity of the school. Once you’re home, you can rest and unwind before another day of suffering kicks in. Nowadays, you can still be harassed by people even in the comfort of your own home through your computer. Some of these bullies have taken things too far that it has forced their victims to off themselves at a very young age.
Meet Amanda Todd, a former 10th-grade student and now the latest victim of cyber bullying. The bullying started when Todd was in seventh grade when she used the Internet to meet new people through video chat. On that fateful night, Todd didn’t know any better as she revealed her breasts to a stranger, who used the picture to blackmail her for more “shows.” Because of her refusal, the image of her breasts was posted on the internet. Despite moving to a different town, Todd was constantly chased by a mistake she made in the past. Along with poor decisions that were made along the way, the depression and anxiety caused by the revelation of her image made Todd commit suicide on October 10.
WARNING: The content on this video may be not safe for all viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
She can be blamed for some of the things she did, but before getting a chance to redeem herself and atone for her mistakes, she was cornered, harassed, and abused until the very end of her life. Unfair or not, life can sometimes be downright cruel.
The Boo Boo Phenomenon
Move over, Jersey Shore! “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” is set to become the next critically panned reality show in the US. The show centers on livewire Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson as she deals with life as a child beauty pageant contestant with the help and support of her mother June Shannon and father Mike Thompson. The exploitative and crummy nature of the show is a train wreck just waiting to happen. If you want your horror fix on television this month, simply tune into this show.
Are there any other horrific events that we failed to cover in this post? Please, do tell us about it by commenting below!