March 7, 2012
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KONY 2012. Is it a fad?
Take a look at Twitter or your Facebook feed. You'll see 'Kony 2012' or some variant of it trending all over the website. The ultimate goal of the video--for those that have seen this video or a link to it--is to make Joseph Kony infamous (not famous, silly people). By doing so, they hope he will gain worldwide attention in an effort to bringing him to justice.
Hipster Cakalusa would say, "I've known about Kony before he was popular." But Hipster Cakalusa died an eon ago, along with that movement we called "Occupy Wall Street." Yeah, remember that?
The Uganda conflict has been going on for the past 30 years and only now have people begun taking action toward it? I hope you all catch your man and kill him via hashtags and trending topics! But seriously, this happens across many parts of Africa daily. Why are we focusing on just one person? If you really want to take action, you need to deal with the whole issue, not just Kony.
"The thing is that Joseph Kony has been doing this for a very, very, very long time. He emerged about a quarter of a century, which is about the same time that Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni came to power. As a result the fates of these two leaders must, I think, be viewed together. Yet, though President Museveni must be integral to any solution to this problem, I didn’t hear him mentioned once in the 30-minute video. I thought that this was a crucial omission. Invisible Children asked viewers to seek the engagement of American policymakers and celebrities, but – and this is a major red flag – it didn’t introduce them to the many Northern Ugandans already doing fantastic work both in their local communities and in the diaspora. It didn’t ask its viewers to seek diplomatic pressure on President Museveni’s administration." -Musa Okwonga
Before you begin forming a picket in front of my home with pitchforks demanding my head for being inhumane and heartless, my ill feelings isn't against the people of Africa or fighting for human rights. No, I fully support this movement and hope Kony comes to justice. It's how this issue has been hiding under the radar for so long--and only after decades--a video must become viral for it to become aware to the people. Half of whom never researched or looked into the LRA, Kony, or mass genocides happening all across Africa; making a statement or voicing opinions only because their friends, social networks, and favorite celebrities made it popular, and the "in" thing to do. The Obama run for election would be a clear example.
The 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale features the Lord's Resistance Army, yet people still weren't aware of them. In 2004, a film titled Team America: World Police was released, and featured a secluded and hermit country called North Korea. When should we expect to see the Kim Jong-Un 2013 video?
I believe in the cause and it's sad what's happening, but I'm upset at people pretending to care and following the hype.
What's your take on Kony 2012?
Comments (83)
FEED THE CHILDREN.
You're absolutely right, that this is an issue that's been going on for decades and blah blah blah that this is a shame that we are NOW just focusing on it.
This is a great way to set an example to other war criminals. This MAY and CAN set fire to many other initiatives and movements. I'm not saying this is the solution, but it definitely educates and engages people. And that's a start; I'll take that.
Hipster-Behindthedimples would say "I've been totally advocating for this cause even before the hashtags and trending words." But truth is, this is something that has mattered to me, since as long as I can remember--high school perhaps. I hate that people are saying, "Oh but this has been happening for over decades." OH WELL WHOOP-DEE-DOO! I'VE ONLY BEEN ALIVE FOR SOME 20 YEARS OF THAT. And for half of that, I didn't have a clue what was happening in the world because I was a self-centered kid. But now as an adult who can form words and opinions, this is what I'm standing for.
I can safely say that over 60% of my facebook friends did not know about the conflicts in Central Africa prior to the trending words, so having them in the know is definitely a victory in of itself.
Am I a bad person for not having the time to watch this video yet?
i'm tired of hearing about it already for the reasons you listed...this has BEEN going on but it seems like people only really care when it becomes a trendy topic via twitter and facebook.
now, i know there are people who genuinely care and have cared...but the majority of my facebook friends have not even heard about this until it became trendy to care. /rant.
Exactly my thoughts.
exactly! I heard about this issue during my freshman year of college. Also, Invisible Children is one of the most corrupt agencies out there- no joke.
Please consider this article before you donate:
http://visiblechildren.tumblr.com.nyud.net/
LAME. Damn hipsters.
having said all that though, if people really did care and wanted to make a change then i think it's great they get involved. but getting involved for the wrong reasons *because it's trendy* ....is just wrong.
Again, yes it's been 30 years in the making. yes there have been movies about the tragedies in Africa, ie Hotel Rwanda, Tears of the Sun, The Sniper. But hey in those movies it's a fairytale land far away that has nothing to do with me right? Trendy things suck. b/c they're trendy and superficial, but if by some small chance this stirs the heart of one new activist...i say it's done it's job. And yes it's focusing on one man...and what happens when the next guy takes up the cause. But we need to start somewhere right? Why not here, why not now? It is something you shouldn't blindly follow. but it shouldn't be something you should just shrug off.
@GreenTeaGym - that article is 6 years old...apparently Joseph Kony didn't starve out...and if he did...he must know how to stretch it.
I got the event on facebook and i declined. Although i love kids i dont go with the crowd and even if i did i dont need people to know. Facebook used to say whos going and whos not, not it just shows whos going and who might go, funny. Tragedy is sad and im glad people are trying to make a difference ... But i dont think hes in alaska so i dont wanna cover the city in wanted flyers-- but maybe he is. Idk.
Have you heard of the Samantha Koenig girl? You inspired me to do a blog.
The whole point of this is to make it a trend to make a change. It's a manipulation on society. If you paid any attention to the video, you would have realized that. It's better that we end this now then keep a blind eye like how we've been doing for the past decades. So stop criticizing it and shut up!
I've just looked at this whole thing briefly since yesterday. I saw both pros and cons of the movement...
You pretty much nailed my thoughts on it.
I'm inclined to believe that people thought the LRA in Casino Royale was stuff of pure fiction. And you're right. It's a damn shame that something has to become trendy before anyone takes notice of it. We've all known that things like that have been happening in Africa for a long time. But no one has ever directly said who was responsible, at least not to my recollection, and it's always been left as this faceless enemy that occasionally steps out of the shadows. Now that there is a name and a face to go with these crimes, of course people are going to come forth and show their support. Some may do it because it's the "in thing" or whatever, but I think many supporters are doing so because their minds and hearts command it, myself included.
I didn't know who Kony is, but I knew of what's going on with Uganda.
Even if we have the UN or Interpol, the world is not advanced enough or united enough to act and start policing war criminals like Kony.
We have a united front at face value, but nobody trusts each other, even among allied nations.
Such things are happening all the time, all over the world. We hear one story and are outraged (rightly so) and want something done about it NOW. The US taxpayers already send money and food around the earth. We police the world on our dime. What can we do about every dictator in the world, or even one? What do you want done?
There are lots of powerful world leaders that need an ass-whoppin no doubt.
But it will take much more substantial effort to take out someone like the North Korean dynasty that is supported by a whole country, verses aiding a country in an advisory capacity to take out someone like Kony who only has about 30,000 people defending him.
Some might say it's an odd use of efforts, but consider this characters like Kony feel a sense of impunity for being small time. They do what they do because no one is paying attention.
If an effort is made to not tolerate one of them, a lot of other psychos of his variety, will have to watch over their shoulder more.
A lot of people were offended that Gadafi's corpse was posted crowd surfing all over the web.
But I disagree with that.
But think of the message that sends?
If the twisted leaders big and small, see the corpse of someone just like them being tossed around on TVs all over the world?
They'll have to think twice about what they can get away with.
While I agree to an extent it is somewhat arbitrary to focus on Kony, the point is, he is someone who can be stopped, and if he is, the others like him will have to think twice about what they put people through.
Focus on Kony?
Then someone else next maybe?
I liked my little pony okay!
Yep, you summed it all up right there. Show someone a video and all of a sudden they're an expert and "care." Ugh... this society is so lame. They want to be spoon fed the truth and then just regurgitate what they've "learned." Why not get off your ass and find out the truth for yourself?!?!
Also, let's see who cares in a week or two from now... better yet who does more for the cause than simply repost the video? Like you're some savior enlightening the world and now your job is done.
This Kony guy, he's responsible for Darfur right? Free the trees!
Posted this on a forum:
"Anyone else seen this? Saw this posted on someone's blog.
Okay, so everyone's going to b*tch about going into Iraq/Afghanistan to remove Al Qaeda and the Taliban, but then cheer over this? And yes, clicking a link or whatever is all that most people will do and feel their conscious is clean. This isn't an argument over Iraq/Afghanistan or whether or not sending advisors is right or wrong, but more about the so called activists. Yes, some people will actually go out and protest, write to their representatives, but most will simply watch the video, share it or whatever and move on with their lives. They'll forget all about Kony after a week.
TL/DR: Totally disillusioned with people tonight."
Kony is like a freak in heat, a dog without warning. His appetite is sex, cause Kony is so hornay.
I really don't care about what's trending or not. You'll always come across those who pretend to care just because it's "in" or "popular" but as annoying as that may be for a lot of us (including to those who are actually trying to make a difference), the greater deed is in getting the message out there and doing something about it rather than complaining about this or that. I don't see any of the complainers do anything about it except wasting their precious time to come up with some sarcastic words, remarks and pictures complaining about the petty stuff, while they wait for the next thing to trend so they can put in their useless 2 cents of wit and sarcasm wherever they can. Sure, it may be viral one week and forgotten the next, but those who are truly influenced by the causes they choose to support will find a way to help those who are in the front lines trying to make a difference. "people who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it."
yeah, totally agree. if you didn't know about it then, you shouldn't act like you care now...
so in other words, unless you're on board with something from the beginning, you're too late to do anything about it.
I agree wholehearted. I've heard about this in my college years (my professors have openly discuss this during lectures) and in the media, Law & Order had an episode about LRA.
I don't know, I guess in this day of age because of Facebook and/or the internet, it is easier to be in the band wagon of everything (ie Jeremy Lin: being a Knicks fan when you aren't even a basketball fan to begin with.)
I don't know why everyone assumes that because I post a video on my facebook wall, that I am somehow declaring that I'm an "activist"... Or that I'm on a high horse smiling and laughing at everyone for being "silly peasants".
The people who are actually doing something in Uganda are the least likely to bitch about the video. It's always some armchair do-nothing critic that poo poo's it.
I know I'm not an activist. Easy as shit to take myself off a high horse. I suggest that the people bitching about this video do the same until they actually do something themselves.
Does it matter? I mean yeah we can argue that it's been going on and it should've been handled 30 years ago but you can't change that now. What you can do now is take advantage of the fact that it is finally getting the press it deserves and people are becoming more informed about it. The video clearly says that because no one knew/cared about it that is the reason nothing happened. Now is the time to do something. I don't see the point in making a post pointing out how you knew about it ages ago. Well if you knew about it so long ago, what did you do when you learned about it? Knowing about an evil and doing nothing about is worse than just now finding out about it and now doing something in my opinion.
I watched the video last night and it made me cry lol
I feel very iffy about this whole thing. I've always known that this has been happening over there through college courses and stuff. After watching the video I wanted to buy a kit but after educating myself I don't think I will.
No kidding! I completely agree with you. Retweeting about this does not make you an activist or even show that you actually give a shit. Do something about it that means something instead of sitting on your tush and clicking some buttons. These type of issues have been going on and on for literally decades! It's a part of why I joined the Navy, the US Military often does humanitarian missions for causes like this. Yet, the same people retweeting this will often badmouth the military. (Not you, you but generic "you".)
For real man, I feel you on this! Besides as far as purchasing those little kits for the bracelets...somebody is making some money off of this. I even fear that it will eventually evolve into some type of comedic 4chan or Youtube memes like Rage comics characters or Trololo guy or demotivational posters...and that link about Obama supporters. How ridiculous and embarrassing. SMH
Sharing a photo or a link about Kony on Facebook isn't going to change the fact that these things are happening. I think it just makes them feel better on the inside, knowing that they spread the word...
"Stupid people becoming aware in a stupid way is stupid. They should all just stay stupid."
vs.
"Stupid people becoming aware in a stupid way is better than nothing. Most of them will just stay stupid, but a handful will become awesome."
Let the handful be awesome. Meanwhile, your Facebook and Twitter feeds will be entertaining again next week. Stay tuned.
I am sure it is a fad, but a good one. I have been following (loosely) some of the tragedies happening in Africa since I heard about the Rwanda genocide in the early 2000's. (That is when I read about it, not when it happened.) Since then, I have a serious interest in what happens over there, I went back to school for International Business and have volunteered for several non-profits that do things like build schools in Ethiopia. I am working towards working in Africa or Central America in economic development. My point is, without hearing about that story, the one about the Tutsi's and Hutus, I would never have known about it, thought about it, or let it touch my heart. Messages like this are good, progressive, and hopeful, even if they are a viral fad.
So...what what you're saying is people should not start to care?
What about the tens of thousands of animals that die each day because of testing? What about the unfair and unequal treatment of those with disabilities? What about debunking the stigma of mental illness? What about those who are bullied because of their orientation or because they're a little different? These things affect a lot of people too...why don't we as a country care about them that much? They're affecting US and it unsettles me that people overlook this and they aren't changed. They're still going on. I've witnessed most of these in my life and yet we still care more about foreign affairs.
KONY 2012 is an excuse for uninformed people to feel like they're contributing to a cause. Sure, awareness is great, but what will it really achieve? The average person will just post this and proceed to forget about it soon after.
im sure someone mentioned it up there, but this thing being "trendy" IS TO shed light on the magnitude of the atrocity that's going on to people like me, who are probably aware of it but are ignorant to it. now we can do something about it either through actively being involved or simply donating a few bucks.
@npr32486 - Humanitarian reasons were never a rationale to go into war. They are only used as a cop-out when Bush couldn't find WMDs or when we need to buy more time for the Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline. And with the case of Kony, we're only asking for a small military force in an advisory role on the manhunt, which is a far cry from dumping trillions of dollars into Iraq and Afghanistan.
And let's just say our rationale to go into Iraq/Afghanistan was to help the people, then why not do the same in the case of Kony?
@grizzlybearr - @iKEEPiTCLEAN - @flightoftheelephant - @Ladiiee - @TiredSoVeryTired - @ChromeLatte - @midnightblu3 - Okay, we're all cynical, jaded, too cool, and maybe even lazy, but what if, by sharing this link, it happens to find its way to someone that will actually get off his ass and do something about it? Even if it ends up being 100 degrees of separation, doesn't that make a difference?
I listened to it, and shared it last night. I want people to know about Kony, but then there are so many attrocities happening all over Africa. At what point do they focus on the rapist president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma? He was hugely supported by ANC Youth President Julius Malema. Oh, and the ANC? They promised to destroy the entire family of the DA who tried to convinct Zuma on countless corruption, murder, and rape charges. Obviously, charges were dropped until Zuma could assume office and pardon himself of his crimes. Now Malema runs around africa singing songs about killing white africans. Nigerian gangs in Johannasburg are raping lesbians to "cure" them, and you're more likely to be killed for your wallet there, then being beat up because there is no respect for life there.
South Africa is at Stage 5 in Genocide watch. At stage 7, the killing happens. Four years ago, they were burning Zimbabweans in the streets. I hazard to see what another year or two of this dominant population's leaders bring.
But then, we're so focused on what is going on with the Arab Springs, how can we pay attention to the rest of Africa?
@coolmonkey - it absolutely would make a difference. you're right.
Does it really matter why they repost it. It doesn't matter if someone is truly trying to to help the cause or just trying to get in some girls pants by acting like they give half a fuck about what is going on in the world. The point is to get as many people as possible to see the video. Then those who are willing and able to help will get involved.
Summary of your post:
"I knew about Joseph Kony before it was mainstream. Therefore, no one should care now because it's just a trend."
such hate!
I agree with you.
My take is that people care now because it's trendy. The hype will die down shortly and I can almost guarantee that 99% of the "huge supporters" will have forgotten about it completely. Don't get me wrong, it's a great cause and something that people should definitely be educated about, but at this point, I feel that people are jumping on the bandwagon because it's an easy thing to do. Plus it annoys me that most people know little to nothing about legitimacy of Invisible Children Inc, the organization that they're plugging SO hard.
People are gaining awareness of the topic, what do you want them to do? Just ignore it? Pretend that the video didn't emotionally affect them? It's really not their fault they didn't know about Kony beforehand. Like you said, it has been under the radar for way too long now, just like blood diamonds and even the japanese internment camps during wwii. People see this video and feel for the kids. Sure, there are bandwagoners out there, but at least it's spreading awareness. That's what the movement is trying to do.
My former church does a lot of work in and with the people of Uganda, and I plan to adopt a Ugandan child someday. Therefore, yes, I knew about Kony WAY before this. The things that he and his "army" have done are absolutely atrocious. So yes, I posted the video. He needs to be put to justice. THAT'S THE MORAL OF THE STORY. I don't care if people are reposting just because it's the "hip" thing to do right now. I don't care if before this, they didn't know the story of the people of Uganda, who've been at war longer than I've been alive. The point is, word is getting out, so that maybe someday, my future child - and many others - will be able to live freely, without fear.
@hizzoMYnizzo -
thank you. i was hoping someone would comment with this.
@coolmonkey - Not really, you shouldn't get any kudos for reposting a link that most probably won't watch. People who are drawn to care will be doing something that actually matters. The others just do it to make themselves feel better and click onto the next link.
True, though if someone does get the link and it changes things for them, that is good! But still showing you care about these types of issues involves more than posting links and patting yourself on the back for doing some "good" in this world. There are things you can actually do, do. (None of which means people shouldn't post the links, it's just they aren't actually indirectly indirectly helping anybody.)
I believe awareness is crucial to solving any issue and it's great that this issue is gaining awareness, but I do not believe that Invisible Children is the right organization to support.
Everyone is jumping on the KONY2012 bandwagon blindly. The fact the Invisible Children website has a measly paragraph dedicated to its cause should be a red flag to EVERYONE considering donating. Any organization that wants REAL change would have way more information on its website. And the website has absolutely ZERO information on how donations are actually being used to HELP the cause it is trying to improve.
Simply because I think it is important to be informed about the good AND the bad of any organization I'm considering supporting I did some digging and found this little bit of information:
IC brings in $13,765,180 for total revenue. Their admin costs are at $1,444,570. Meanwhile, Doctors Without Borders total revenue is at $143,303,906, while their admin cost are just $2,186,692. So an organization that brings in over 10x the total revenue spends less than a million more on admin costs.
I don't know about you, but if I'm donating to a cause I believe in, I hope that most of the money I've given goes toward the cause itself, not to people who don't need it.
I haven't watched the video yet, but this stuff has been going on for awhile now. I have nothing against people sharing the video. At least people will be a bit more informed.
It's a fad. 70% of the people reposting don't care.
I agree that it sucks to see people jump on the bandwagon without doing their research, but at the same time, I also think that if that's what it takes for people to become at least a little bit more educated, then it's not the worst thing in the world. There's always going to be that percentage of people who truly are just pretending to care, and once the trend is over, their minds are elsewhere and whatever cause was brought up will be forgotten just as easily as it was "effective" at face value. But there's also going to be those few that are really influenced and that's what matters the most. Those are the people who will continue to fight for whatever cause even after the hype is over, and I don't think it's ever too late to find a cause to fight for.
And for those of us who have known about the LRA and have knowledge of what's been going on in Uganda, I feel like it's also up to us to help those who are just "getting on the bandwagon" to ask them, "Hey! Want to know more information? Because this is what I know, let me catch you up!" In my opinion, it's easier to share about a certain cause with someone who has it on their mind and seems interested and wants to know more about it than just simply sharing it out of the blue.
Just my two cents.
Alot of people are saying no one even knew, so now people know, isn't that the whole point?
Hey, I'll be honest. I had no damn idea who Kony was. My facebook was blowing up with Kony this and that and then I finally decided to watch the video.
But I'm going to somewhat disagree with you
Did it take a video for me to find about Kony? yes. I see nothing wrong with being educated by a video through facebook. There is so many damn inequalities/social injustice/violence in the world that is it IMPOSSIBLE to keep up with every single one.
However...I do think that it is a "trend" in a way. One of my friends posted something on facebook saying that everyone will forget about this by Friday. I think this is true. Most of us will forget about it. But I think the point of this all, is to reach those that don't forget about it, and that keep thinking and researching and want to do more than just re-tweet and re-facebook. For me thats how I look at this, less about people that pretend to care (kind of like the Hatai earthquakes. As soon as people donated, they kinda forgot about it) and more about those that it will actually move to do something more.
I think it’s never too late to become involved in something like this, as long as you are doing it for the right reasons. Less because it’s the cool thing to do, but because something about the suffering of those kids tugs at your heart. And if it took a video to bring you too that, than so be it.
Out of the large mass of people that see it, and re-tweet, and facebook it, it will be a small group that will take the next steps and actually do something. And wasn’t that the whole purpose of it anyway? I think it’s kinda cool in a way. But that’s just my personal opinion = )
THANK YOU. I am so happy someone else notices this. Supporting KONY 2012 and wanting to "save the world" has become the expected behavior. It has become the norm we are supposed to follow. Fuck that.
Let Kony 2010 become a fad.
It's way better than most of the stupid fads we follow today.
way, way better than the jersey shore or the kardashian's or even jeremy lin *gasp*
at least it's a fad that can really change the world
so let people bandwagon, be all hispter-ish, and say "If you didn't care in the beginning, why start caring now?"
Well, isn't now the best time to start caring?
Politically, the U.S. Government is unlikely to take more public interest unless the LRA starts to directly threaten the U.S. Unfortunately, these sorts of atrocities occur in many locations. World powers, China and Russia strongly condemn foreign intervention in the affairs of sovereign nations, e.g. Syria. China and Russia are likely to veto foreign intervention in Uganda. Somalia is a failed state, but since Al-Shabaab threatened the U.S., we have an interest in the region. I'm more concerned about the gulags in North Korea and the conflict in Afghanistan.
I don't give a shit if people are just pretending to care. As long as they help to spread it around, I think that's all it matters, to make the government take action.
Trends spread like wildfire. Some people are quick to assume a position with very little knowledge on something.
This is what happens when you are retarded and you find yourself a cause to fight for. What kind of freedom is that which is obtained by inflicting suffering upon others?
To be honest I didn't I actually remember the name Kony, till I watched the Machine Gun Preacher movie last night. Which was a pretty touching movie to watch. The title however made me thing of Wasteland American town filled with bandits harassing and raping struggling to live peasents, being saved by a travelling preacher with a machine gun (could work as a movie.)
Was actually more impressed the guy was actually real and also is alive to this day.
What I don't understand is the point of liking a facebook page. I has no impact. I bet half the people who like something their friends like, has no idea what they are even liking.
I agree with most of the statements here. But it kind of bothers me that everyone is lashing out on the people who genuinely DO care, but only just found out about it. Yes, they hadn't heard of it until it went viral. But that doesn't mean it didn't become important to them once it came to their attention. Just because they weren't aware of it from the BEGINNING doesn't mean they can't make a difference.
But yes, if they are only posting the link to the video because it's trending now, that's pretty lame. But who cares about those people? They definitely aren't anyone to waste your thoughts on.
I think raising awareness is first and foremost the main issue at hand here.
The video and the hype surrounding the viral effect of this advertising campaign is doing it's job, to encourage people to speak about this issue and to talk to their senators/representatives to apply some form of pressure to make something more happen then what is being done now.
That being said, I do think people need to look further before donating funds to organizations.
I don't know about the organization mentioned, so I'd have to research further before moving forward in that arena.
I'd have to say, @cakalusa, this is a pretty good blog post that I can agree with.
@MaximusMan -
I read this through my 'sarcasm goggles' and find it to be a brilliant statement. Brilliant!
I agree. I'm the first to say, I just heard about this particular man yesterday. I've been aware of the ongoing conflict, but was not aware of him by name until the hype started surging on the internet. Okay, so I guess the "awareness" part has been fulfilled. Great. What he's being reported to do with children is horrible. I wholeheartedly agree that he, and anyone else who perpetuates such treatment of men, women, or children should be stopped at all cost. The world will not be a worse place without Kony and others like him.
My only issue with the "online activism" is pretty much summed up in the Gene Wilder memes. Oops, I mean Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Whatever. This type of online activism is akin to people who say, "I'm doing MY PART to support our troops!" because they slapped a yellow magnetic "ribbon" on the trunk of their SUV.
Caring is great, sharing something with others to raise awareness is great. I am all for personal education on what's going on around us. BUT, some pause for education would be good before jumping on the bandwagon, in my opinion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsHVBLTlDx4
@coolmonkey -
@hizzoMYnizzo -
@SasGal -
Someone PLEASE make a cool video to get people to focus on AMERICA's problems!!! Yeah, we definitely have them too but since it's not in your face or "trendy" you don't care? We obviously don't have the resources to take care of everyone else's problems (last I checked we as a country are trillions in debt and people SEEM pretty pissed about that!)when we can't even take care of ourselves! There are starving children in the USA without a voice, and there own country doesn't care about them. Shame, shame, shame...
Honestly I didn't know about KONY before the viral campaign and I still haven't watched the video or re-posted anything, and I wont repost anything until I look up the information for myself.
It's really weird how KONY 2012 just popped up on ny FB newsfeed a few days ago while most of my friend list ignored and didn't bother to forward my posts about my co-worker 's missing daughter [she was found and brought home last week].
Genocide has been going on in different parts of Africa for decades but it's only when a movie comes out or when a celebrity speaks out about it that people seem to care. I honestly haven't done anything to fight against evil people like KONY but what can I really do besides join the bandwagon and start reposting the vid to further raise awareness. I agree with you post, people are full of it but even though they're just bandwagoning...they're raising awareness and there's nothing wrong with raising awareness. The sad reality is...they'll find a new 'movement' to care about soon and KONY will be an afterthought.
I'd like to add that most of the people reposting the video who knew about KONY probably haven'nt been talking about him or people like him much, they've been too immersed in what's going on here. The irony of all this is...If America and it's "Allies" end up going to war with every mass murderer in Africa, the supporters of this movement will protest the wars.
Caring about children that are suffering SHOULD be a trend.
@edlives - Indeed.
Or, alternatively, it's pure genius for the makers of the film to tap into herd mentality and trending topics to make potentially meaningful change without ever having to do any actual education or require any real activism on the part of the masses. A way in which the power of the Devil FB is temporarily harnessed for good. Realizing, of course, that the same power could be harnessed for bad, which is more than a little bit scary.
@TiredSoVeryTired - Again... Why is it assumed that the people who post a link are patting themselves on the back? Isn't it possible that their sole purpose of doing it is to get people to watch the video? I wasn't overwhelmed with a rush of euphoria when I posted the video. I didn't think to myself "damn, I'm awesome" or "I'm glad I did my good deed for the day". Sure, the ones who act that way are annoying. But not everyone who was moved by the video and passed it on is some narcissistic hipster douche. The attitude of "I knew about Kony long before everyone else" is about as hipster as it fucking gets, especially if you've known about him and haven't done anything about it. Then you have absolutely nothing to feel superior about. You're just an armchair naysayer hipster critic that should stop patting yourself on the fucking back, and being a hypocrite by telling others to stop patting themselves on the back.
"I believe in the cause and it's sad what's happening, but I'm upset at people pretending to care and following the hype."
^ I agree completely. I'm also irritated that people re post it and then don't bother to do some actual RESEARCH about it.
@flightoftheelephant - I really do not want to reply to this because you speak with a mind full of ignorance. Everyone has a Passion, or a cause. I happen to be focused on raising awareness for countries more inclined to carry out the massive murder of certain people of race/nationality in the streets. We aren't at that point. So stop being a judgmental douche because I don't share the same passion for every cause.
@TigersLovePepper - what mean this "sarcasm"?
wow an insightful post by cakalusa.
"Sure, it may be viral one week and forgotten the next, but those who are truly influenced by the causes they choose to support will find a way to help those who are in the front lines trying to make a difference."
THIS. ALSO, everything that @FoliageDecay said.
@MaximusMan -
@AmorVomnia7 - I don't think I assumed anything of everyone who posted the link. But there are certainly ones who do pat themselves on the back and feel like they've "done something". And yeah, anyone who pats themselves on the back for knowing of this issue twenty years ago isn't doing much good either.
Magnificent site. Lots of useful information here. I am sending it to several pals ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks in your sweat!
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