This is the hottest trend right now. With over 14.9 million view on Vimeo and 27.6 million views on youtube (and counting), Invisible Children have created the fastest spreading viral video of all time.
Here is what you should know. There is always the good, the bad, and the ugly side to this issue, and there will always be.
What is good about Kony 2012 is that it brings awareness to the horror that most 1st world nations would not see. Kony has committed many crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, abduction etc. He does take young boys to force them to become soldiers, even killing their own family members. He does take young girls to be sex slaves.The bottom line is that Joseph Kony is a bad guy and yes, he should be stopped.
The Bad: Invisible Children
Invisible Children has faced much criticism with its organization. Not only do they have massive administrative costs, in their 2011 budget, only about 31% of their actual funds received goes toward charitable purposes. Yes, I do realize that costs for this campaign are quite high, however advocating the sale of t-shirts ($25), bracelets ($10), and action kits ($30) seem unneccissary in order to join their efforts. Also, Kony 2012 follows the life of Jason Russel and his son, which adds an emotional dimension into the film which urges viewers to help. It also uses a lot of visual effects and subliminal messages, much like a lot of other propoganda. The film uses social media to target many of the celebrities. With more fame comes more money. It is a sleek marketing campaign.
Sure, the company has flaws, but they're working towards a good cause right? Take a look at the facts, do some research and you'll see that Joseph Kony has not been as active as the film advocates.
The Ugly: Deceit
Uganda does not need more war. The film advocates the mobilization of the United States army. But is that really what Uganda needs? Why are you donating money so that more soldiers can be sent to Uganda? This would do much more harm to Uganda than benefit. The Ugandan government would rather you send money for humanitarian aid, not more military help which they don't even want. You think that once you take Kony out, the problem is solved? Don't you think there are other people going to step into his place? Of course, it would help take down the LRA but it won't solve 25 years of problems.
"Presently, the operations of the LRA have nearly dissolved and their presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is difficult to verify. While the pro-war filmmakers behind KONY 2012 naively call for the US military to assert its place in the conflict, an independent fact finding mission would be far more effective in assessing the seriousness of the LRA threat in the present day."
-Nile Bowie
The threat is low. Maybe we should be helping the farmers seed their crops and the children get a better education. Not to make war to end a war that has simmered since 2006. Joseph Kony will be brought to justice, his lifetime is only so long.
Conclusion:
So there is some validity in Kony 2012, yet not all of it is as dramatic and urgent as it seems. The skill of this marketing technique is unlike many I have seen, and because Invisible Children advocates for something good, it creates a grey area where the misinformed are easily caught. Do your research. Google it. As for me, I appreciate the awarness but I disagree with the method. There are many other charities doing a lot of the same things as Invisible Children, and not spending their money to make a video to make more money for the organization. They actually send money to help. There is a better way!
Sources:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/uganda/9131469/Joseph-Kony-2012-growing-outrage-in-Uganda-over-film.html
http://endthelie.com/2012/03/08/exposing-kony-2012-phony-youth-movement-promotes-us-military-presence-in-africa/
http://www.kony2012.com/
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/03/08/kony-2012-video-raises-5m/
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