March 8, 2012

  • Should You Support Kony 2012?
    Final thoughts on this campaign.

    https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/425658_679647998377_57600103_33303318_1289306904_n.jpg
    Too soon? Nah, never too soon for the internet!

    As momentum for the Kony 2012 video skyrockets and eventually plummets like all viral videos, the discussion whether The Kony 2012 campaign was the correct course of action to solve the issue in Uganda will be debated. The criticism surrounding this video points to those spreading this information, making uninformed actions without taking the initiative to research the issue. It's easy to simply share or re-tweet a charitable link and video and call it your good deed for the week. But when one does these actions blindly, you can be doing just as much harm, though unintended. If you read my previous post, you will see that the post is not against or for Kony, it is against the entire way this protest is being run and how it has spread.

    This campaign has snowballed through social medias and deserves a critical eye with Invisible Children being a questionable "non-profit charity." People should question these matters before jumping on bandwagons or donating money. It's good that Kony has gained notoriety, but it's just as important that people understand what they are supporting.

    http://x3b.xanga.com/fd1e171565632281053349/w223898444.jpg

    Kony posts seem to give people an overbearingly false sense they are doing something to improve the world. Ask the same people posting the Kony 2012 video today, a month from now--or even two weeks from now--if they've thought about it or have continued to spread the message. Haiti? Japan? Does it ring a bell?

    How many times have you taken the time to "share" a story on Facebook about the plight of the impoverished within your own country? How about most recently, the Midwest? Our own soil?

    We've had a series of destructive and deadly tornadoes run through our own country, yet there was little social media action seeking aid. A quick search on Facebook returned a whopping 30:1 ratio of Uganda-related results compared the natural disasters the Midwest has faced.

    http://x05.xanga.com/8cbe151564432281054547/t223899454.gif
    Won't somebody think of the children!?

    There's a fine line between social network flooding and spamming an idea or movement that the masses are uninformed about. I won't ask people to stop supporting this or posting about it--as I do support the removal of Kony--I do not however, agree that a majority of people posting about it are sharing the video for legitimate reasons, and only posting the video because it's trending, or all their friends are doing so. To me, it almost seems fad-like.

    The burning question that I find most people overlooking, what is the ultimate goal of this campaign? Are they going to send Kony a letter to stop what he's doing, put down his arms, and play nice? The people behind Invisible Children will want to forcefully remove him from power. Use violence to stop violence. Does this seem hypocritical of their own actions? The same people posting about this wanted our troops back from Iraq/Afghanistan and often criticize our military for their actions. Now you want military intervention to get rid of this man?

    http://x8f.xanga.com/aebf85e778033281053347/b223898442.jpg
    What you see is a photo showing the filmmakers of the KONY 2012 movement with AK-47's and RPG's.

    Uganda is a fairly stable country right now contrary to what the video will have you believe. The majority of the the real conflict has moved elsewhere into places like the Congo, where the US extracts mineral used in the production of cell phones which is why they have no interest in risking stopping that production. This is exactly why I have a huge problem with the video and the way people see it and say, "Oh, this Kony is a terrible person! Save all the Ugandan children! Share!" without really educating themselves.

    The inherent issue is also way more complicated. The political and humanitarian instability in that region is bigger than just one man. This organization also advocates for direct military intervention led by the Ugandan government forces, who are guilty of atrocities of their own. That includes everything depicted in the Kony video; rape, murder, looting, and children bearing arms.

    http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXHjGecJ9Nk/Tza-SimS1_I/AAAAAAAAAtU/mjlZZiXYFiY/s1600/TheMoreYouKnow.jpg

    I support the demise of Johnathan Kony as much as you. My main issue isn't regarding what actions have or haven't been taken, but how people are going about spreading information or views that go without research. Understand the fact that to do something is not always a good thing, especially if it (like in this case) leads to military intervention or maybe just money going into a few people's pockets.

    Be more informed. Other opinions regarding Kony 2012:

    Invisible Children's response to their criticisms:

    If someone watches a video and begins to care about something--we all start somewhere--that's fine. However, I do care if people jump to support without doing research outside the video. I'm not asking you to stop sharing the video or tell you what to do with your money. But don't remain ignorant. Read, research, and learn all sides before you make your decision.

Comments (41)

  • Uganda be kidding me.

  • Isn't his name "Joseph"?

  • THANK YOU. Its not that I'm against it, it's just that I'm sick of people clicking "share" on facebook and typing in "Seriously guys. Just take a little bit of your time to read/watch this." acting like they're some kind of internet prophet when all they've done is see the video. I need more information than just a viral video to make a decision about something, and they should need more, too.

  • The people harping the loudest on this are the same ones who bitch and whine about the CIA getting mucked up in foreign policy and making messes.

  • @RazielV - yes.

  • I share a different sentiment of views, though I do agree with you on a few them.
    Below is a link to an article from a reputable and credible news source. It is not info of someone else's opinions on a blog, home made news site, or a forum where a lot of information and facts can be mislead, misinterpreted, and misunderstood. Dare I say even biased and untruthful? My point is this, credible or not, too many people take other peoples thoughts and opinions and use them as there own b/c its easier for someone to use other peoples opinions and make them their own. Call it stupid, perhaps being lazy, or just down right idiotic; but as a powerful tool social media has become (hence the Kony viral outbreak) it has also weakened a lot of minds to learn how to research, gain real facts, seek out the truth, and to come up with their own idea's to explain them or communicate them effectively. I understand how you feel about the those who are bandwagoner's of whatever is trending. For me, I've learn to let that go and try now to educate to those who I know will listen. Some people will, some people won't, but that is life on the internet now. Can't please everyone who hides behind a screen or monitor, right?
    Anyway, check the link below and you will be schooled with the real info on Invisible Children.
    (btw - a charitable organization only needs to donate 10% of their profits to be recognized as charity) Because who the hell works for free in a 3rd world country with 3rd world problems and not get compensated properly?

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/invisible-childrens-stop-kony-campaign/2012/03/07/gIQA7B31wR_blog.html?tid=sm_btn_fbI%27m

  • canz I club baby seal now?

  • You can add this link to your list of KONY 2012 opinions. http://innovateafrica.tumblr.com/post/18897981642/you-dont-have-my-vote

  • i dunno if i congo reading anymore of these posts.

  • It`s always easier to look at elsewhere and start pointing fingers, than looking at ourselves. 

    If I was to be REALLY insensitive and douchey about this, (which hey, I have no problem with) I'd say that their actions are no worse than a nations where, say, educational standards are at an all time low, and where kids are literally being taught to eat their dumbshit selves to death in front of a television trying to sell them diabetes.

  • I agree. Whatever is going on there is not unique. If you want to send your money, fine; just don't try to influence politicians to send more of mine. My (and everyone's) tax money already goes to hundreds of countries around the world, in the form of food, cash, and the fact that our military is their police force. Tweet that.

  • Gotta love this politically-correct, retractionary post.

  • At least the people care about something that matters. You can argue about tornadoes, Hurricane Katrina, Japan, Haiti, etc but the human mind can only retain so much information and empathy at a time. It's impossible for us to give 100% of our thoughts to every single issue. The important thing is that the information reaches the people that will actually get off their ass and do something about it. No shame in an assist.

  • @hizzoMYnizzo - Your responses on my previous and current post have been a pleasure to read and digest. I respect yours and anyone else's opinion regarding the Kony 2012 campaign. I'd like to address your questions.

    Though a blog may not seem like a credible source compared to a published news article, it certainly isn't something I would completely dismiss. For a paper written at a collegiate level, citing a blog may be frowned upon by your professor. But a blog can be just as informative as a news article. Many people follow and gain plenty of knowledge via blogs; celebrity, business, and everyday bloggers like you and I. CNN is an example of a website that has realized this and dedicate sections to bloggers and their opinions. Is it safe to say FOX news is a credible source just because it's a news outlet? Not always.

    In regards to the link you posted, there's publicized articles debating the credibility and intent of Kony 2012 just as well: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/invisible-children-founders-posing-with-guns-an-interview-with-the-photographer/2012/03/08/gIQASX68yR_blog.html

    As I said earlier, I respect your opinion and welcome others to disagree on this matter. I went against the wave with my previous post and sparked conversation. Not everyone will agree with all the things we say.

  • wtf is this, a non-offensive, SFW blog post with content that makes you think? like. do more.

  • The best thing about this is that it's out in the open. Stop Kony? Yes. But don't stop asking questions.

  • Likewise~ I never said that blogs weren't insightful, informative or credible, but most don't have the time nor funds to carry out a proper investigation for the truth, nor are they held accountable for when they make mistakes. We're all human and are susceptible to other peoples mistakes and making them as well. As reputable as The post is, they are in the same boat as all of us for we're all perfectly capable of making mistakes. The whole point of both of us reaching out to discuss this matter was to spark a dialogue to create a respectful discussion or debate on the issues at hand. I respect your opinions more for handling it the way it should be handled (especially since you're playing the devils advocate role) rather than bitching, moaning, and crying on the net like I hear a lot of people doing. Respect for ya too brotha.

  • How can America sending troops into a country to overthrow a leader ever go wrong? Oh, wait...

  • I donated, but not to the Invisible Children group.

  • This bandwagon drove by too fast for me to jump on, oh wellz.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQqs-Cno5Bc&feature=related :]

  • I completely agree. You stated my views about this precisely.

    Apparently I'm the bad guy. I trolled my Facebook full of Hitler and 'GG, you're an armchair activist' memes all over. I also made fun of the fact that Shepard Fairey was featured and that Dubstep was utilized. lol @ trying to incorporate the 'in crowd'

  • i've decided to just stay outta it

  • Sooo, because we aren't going to do anything about this in a few weeks time, we just shouldn't do anything at all? I mean, I partially agree. Too many people spread the word and forget about it. But, sometimes, it gets to people enough that they actually do something. If not for this cause, for a future cause. Why do you think somepeople got into that whole helping people thing? Another cause, another video, hit them hard, and they changed. So yes, it's a bit overplayed and some people are just jumping on the bandwagon... but at the same time... Would you rather us watch the video and forget about it? Or for a brief moment have them care just enough to spread the word and some day, someone may do something great for man kind.

  • I think the fact that people are posting stuff like this means that Invisible Children's dollars are being put to good use. That said, I don't think people should donate their money. Instead, they should take action. If people call their congressmen to take action, I fully trust that the CIA, the military, and the policy wonks have the expertise to conduct a mission that will be successful. They did get Osama after all.

  • Nice post! The plus of Facebook deactivation: watching less videos, reading news, reading more content, watching less...drama. Trending makes everything more dramatic. I hope they can drop it low (gurl). And not related, but I feel like the grinch every time it's Thanksgiving or Christmas, or any other holiday when I log in and fb tells me 100+ ppl have posted. So bad.

  • Agreed! My Facebook was littered with these posts two days ago. Now? Two posts in the past 24 hours.

  • My roommate, who is a Ugandan student studying as an international student in the US does not understand why this Kony 2012 is such a big deal. She says Kony has not been in Uganda since 2008. According to her, the video is not up to date and shows footage from the late 90s to early 2000s. She also says that many Ugandan people LIVING in Uganda feel like someone is trying to make money off of the whole campaign.

  • This is a good post. These concerns need to be raised,and I think you have done a great job of doing that. Too bad you can't make a viral video that will warn against blindly hopping on a social media band wagon. I'm am very impressed with this. Well done!

  • Its sad because I do post about what goes on here. Just a couple days ago, I posted about Wal-mart selling GMO corn that could cause complete organ failure. Not a big deal. Kony is huge though....

  • It's become harder to decipher what is fact in these articles you read online. Everyone says research a matter prior to giving an opinion. However, each time I read an article on a matter it feels as though it's biased due to the authors opinion. So what is fact? It seems to me the only way to get the truth, is to be in the thick of it.

  • You can tack another major problem with the video: it's false call to action.

    If you read the Foreign Affairs article closely, you'll see that the Kony 2012 video makes two relatively bold claims and never supports them. The first is that Obama intends on having the Uganda military advisement mission end soon, and the second is that the average joe in the internet needs to lobby for this to not happen. Both of these are false.

    The Foreign Affairs article - among other sources - points out that not only did Obama sent 100 armed advisors to the country for training and equipping purposes, but Bush (W.) sent 17 advisors (and millions of dollars of equipment) previously for a similar mission. This certainly makes any claim that this mission, which has been going on for some time now, as any intentions of completely ending. Well - there's a fairly obvious three-part reason for this.

    A few years ago, Uganda was attacked by the Somali terrorist militia al-Shabaab. Anyone who knows a thing about al-Shabaab knows that the U.S. isn't exactly on good terms with them, or their jihadist allies. Certainly, we've gone out of our way to bolster allies during the War on Terror - why not help one of our major African allies this time. (Some people are saying that it's simpler than that, and that this is quid pro quo assistance to help the Ugandans after they helped us in the '90s in Somalia.)

    Of course, we can also use a geography lesson to learn that the Chinese are major trading partners with the Sudanese and are trying to expand their influence in any oil-bearing countries within Africa. As China's economic power grows larger, you better believe they'll reach out across the globe to build more political relationships for better trade agreements and a general sphere of influence. Where's Sudan in relation to Uganda? (To be rhetorical...) Just north of the newly created South Sudan. That certainly gives the U.S. a reason to build up a proxy ally in the area.

    Finally, the best reason for the U.S. to be in the area (and stay in the area - no matter what the IC video claims): oil. In 2007 (or 2006, depending on who you listen to), a substantial amount of oil was discovered the Lake Albert basin. There's been some debate between Ugandans and (as long as I'm getting my countries correct) the Congolese about who's oil it is. Well, the U.S. supports Uganda - despite their "president" being a dictator - and is currently sending troops to train and equip the Ugandans. Something tells me that the mission isn't exactly contingent on a charity drive.

  • I remember back in 10th grade we all had to research a developing nation and I somehow landed myself with a project on Uganda. I read a lot over the course of that project on the Ugandan government, the LRA and policies surrounding the country. I think public awareness of the issue is a wonderful thing, but a lot more definitely needs to be done than just seeing justice served to Kony (perhaps starting with an understanding of why the LRA formed in the first place and the corruption of the Ugandan government itself). That being said, I agree with you that everyone needs to start somewhere and if a viral campaign gets at least 1% of those currently involved seriously committed to understanding the issue, than good has come out of it. I must admit, after watching the Kony 2012 video, I found myself deeply compelled to 'do something' only to realize upon reflection that the video was filmed more so to stir up emotions rather than justly inform the audience. Still not sure how I feel about all of this, but I really did enjoy reading this post. Kudos.

  • @amberALD531 - 
    i agree.
    nobody need to hate on this subject.
    i'm only passionate for a certain charity but it still doesn't hurt to help spread information of an awareness. its better than nothing at all. its better than having it stay invisible. right? right.

  • Sometimes I wonder who the hell would step in and help us if our president was doing things like that. =
    Although I whole heartedly believe that what Kony is doing is disgusting and terrible and he should be stopped, I also believe it isn't OUR place. We have so many things going on in our own country that we should be focusing on. What about the sex trafficking in America? Drug trafficking? Etc.

    I feel bad for the kids that Kony is hurting. I really do. I also believe that if we interfere in this, we are probably going to have another war on our hands and then we're going to go into more debt. Let another country be the superhero for once. =

  • A pathetic 31% of Invisible Children's donations are actually used towards their 'causes'. Uganda is in a state of repair. If people really wanted to help Uganda out, they should put their time and money to other organizations that will go to direct relief for Ugandans. Not Invisible Children.

  • I don't know if you've read this or not, but it made me think of your xanga post: http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/15/kony-2012-flops-in-uganda/?hpt=hp_bn5

  • @aftershejumped - Yeah, I saw the video regarding this. Quite interesting!

  • thank you for posting this...

    I LAUGHED AT everyone after when they found out they one of the founders were found masterbating in public!
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