So much props for this girl making this video. I had been wishing someone would make a video explaining some of these things, and she did a great job. I’m not sure the percentage of allocations of funds she mentioned was completely accurate, but that’s just one thing. She was spot on everything else. She went pretty easy on Invisible Children/KONY 2012 campaign, though, and there are many other points that could be added to her cause. They can be researched here, here, and here.
Each of those links contain more links within and i encourage you to read them. I am not including any of the technical details this post, because they are all in the links, written by people much more qualified than me, but I will include some of my surface opinions:
The KONY 2012 campaign is more of a product than a cause. They can argue that they are trying to raise awareness, and to be honest their video has raised awareness of what we can do when we work together, and that is good! But it is up to us to research further and decide how we want to support, and if that support is truly needed.
Their video was greatly exaggerated, and a lot of important facts were left out.
The KONY 2012 campaign is more about bracelets, stickers, t-shirts, and posters than it is relief. The people behind it are seemingly more interested in their filmmaking than anything else. You have to buy “action kits” full of the above mentioned items, or else sign up to donate money each month.
Lets face it, this program is more about entitled white college kids feeling better about themselves, and that they have a “cause” by wearing a cool bracelet and putting up posters and having other people see them do it. “Look how charitable I am!”
The glossy high-budget 30 minute video is just manipulative, emotional blackmail meant to pull at our heart-strings and feel guilt-tripped into posting and tweeting it to further the campaign. I for one am disgusted that the co-founder used his son as a device to win our hearts and attention. Yes, that might be the most adorable child I have ever seen, but Jason Russell knows that, and is using it to his advantage.
I am not saying to turn your back on this or similar causes, but please educate yourself first. You are not suddenly a social activist because you believed everything you saw in a 30 min video. It is irresponsible to NOT research things before giving your time and especially your money. Don’t believe everything you see on the internet, just because it has a cute kid, pretty colors, shiny stickers, and a glossy, expensive video.
You may be saying “Well why should I believe one short video from some random girl?” And that attitude is very wise! You would be just as much of a sheep for believing her video as you would be for believing the KONY 2012 video. That’s why now that her video has your attention, you should dig deeper. Click the links. Try and find inaccuracies in her video and try and find things she was right about! The more things you learn the better.
If you would like to donate money to support the health and safety of Africa’s children, I suggest AMREF, Africare, Children of the Nations, and water.org – Charities that have a 4 star rating and no ulterior motives.
To be fair, I am including Invisible Children’s rubuttal to the many (yes there are speculative articles everywhere) accusations, and it can be found here . Although, clear answers are not given; only confusing explanations and some avoidance, all capped off with a Ke$ha quote. And they want us to take them seriously?
As you can see I am not great at explaining things, so please, follow the links, find more on your own, and educate yourself. I am not asking you to pick a side. I am not even saying I for sure know everything there is to know. But please, just educate yourself before following a cause, especially a pretty, shiny, trendy one.
What do you think?