This blog post is in reference to all of the controversy of the "Kony 2012" video that went viral this week.
Like I said previously, my recommendation of the video wasn't because I support Invisible Children (IC) or because I agree with their initiatives, but because I think their marketing camping was brilliant.
The root of the controversy:
I think the real issue is that people are watching this video with a very simplistic mindset. They aren't being critical, they're just taking everything at face-value and absorbing all that Russell conveys in his video. 
I think those wanting to educate themselves are going about it the right way. There are always 2 sides to a story - probably even more in this case! There is a lot we can’t confirm because we aren’t in Uganda, we can’t see what is happening.... which is all the more reason why we shouldn’t just believe it blindly. (pun intended?)
I think we need to also process what it means to be allowing for Kony to be taken down with the help of US military forces. Is ok'ing US military intervention really the best idea? It hasn't worked the best in the past. Is the US military force even a party you trust to handle these situations? Or is the US once again acting in its own interest? The US government has a long track record for only getting involved when it benefits the American people. && Let's not forget the recent discoveries of oil in Uganda (source: Ugandan news article). Hmm, and the US is suddenly willing to help with a problem they know has existed for decades...
There are also some saying that the LRA (standing for Lord's Resistance Army) numbers are down, that their resistance is weak, and that Ugandans are finally rebuilding their communities (source: Reuters Africa). If it’s true that the LRA is weak and down to a dozen soldiers, why are we rushing in to save the day now? What’s the need for all the $ that Invisible Children is asking viewers to donate? How will the money be used (please note how the video BARELY touched on this topic)? Is it even pragmatic at this point? Throwing foreign aid and handouts has doesn't empower local communities, it doesn't help them rebuild... we know that, so why are we repeating the mistake?
Yes, Uganda still has problems today – it is a country ridden with corruption. There are still Ugandans living in fear in IDP camps, afraid of the possibility that violence will return to their land. I think it’s awesome that people are now aware that this problem exists, that there is more to this world than their little bubble. BUT these problems cannot be fixed by uneducated Westerners flying over to “help”…. it just isn’t sustainable. Or practical for that matter.
Back to the video, we should also ask questions like why Jacob was the only Ugandan that was really in the video? Why didn’t we hear more from the locals?
I want to know what IC’s relationships are like with Ugandans. How do the locals feel about the work IC is doing? That’s the response that matters. Is IC preparing locals on how to continue their resolutions in the long term? No aid organization should be in place forever – if they are, they aren’t really focused on solving the problem.
The IC's history and choice of initiatives also leave me to be a bit skeptical. They support the local militia, which I personally don’t think is a smart solution (or solution at all). They want to eliminate one military force by funding another? Since when was that ever a good idea?!
It’s great to be empowered, but it’s useless if it ends with a “share” on facebook. Take it one step further, educate yourself. DO SOME RESEARCH. Find your answers, discover the truth.
I agree with your view on how "throwing foreign aid" into this situation like many others is not always the best solution because sustainability is a matter of question. Feed a man a fish and he will eat for a day, where as you teach a man how to fish and feed him for a lifetime. This is true; however, we have to consider how this country like many others especially in the developing world are "ridden with corruption". There is a reason why many things in Africa remain in status quo - lack of necessary resources, government initiatives etc. Now if this organization is help building educational institutions within the country and providing jobs to local individuals, now I would say that is definitely creating opportunity for the people.
ReplyDeleteSome great points made and questions asked though. Some of the methods of solving this issue are definitely questionable. No doubt that the US only pokes their nose in business when it is only for their benefit in foreign policy. If only the UN would actually intervene in matters as such the way it should.
Building schools and such can definitely help, but I think the mistake arises when us Westerners think it is our job to intervene. According to some articles I've read, the Ugandans are rebuilding their communities and livelihoods. If they're doing that on their own, us interfering is unnecessary. I highly suggest you look up the concept of "White Man's Burden", I think you'd find it fascinating.
DeleteBy us getting involved (especially when it isn't needed or if it isn't done correctly), a dependence is created that actually prevents the community to grow and recover. Ethiopia is a great example of that; citizens have become so reliant on hand-outs that they've in fact adopted a sort of begging culture rather than taking control of their lives.
P.S. Thanks so much for commenting! Your point of view provided an interesting outlook on things.
Amazing I completely agree with you. Support of the local militia in any war torn country is never a good idea look at the Taliban who were once part of the mujahideen or the recent shit in Syria where as in Libya action was taken almost immediately to take out the tyrant. Foreign policy is always about benefits for everybody. Enough rant but it's just cheeses me. The recent discovery of oil is interesting; I will follow up more on that. And their marketing campaign was brilliant!! Great read !!
ReplyDeleteAmazing. I thoroughly enjoyed every sentence of this! I'm going to write a log about this issue as well! I'd love your perspective on it!
ReplyDeletei was going to write an op-ed piece on my blog about my bone of contention with Jacob Russell, Invisible Children, and the whole Kony 2012 campaign. However, i was just too livid about the whole campaign to make it through my first paragraph. So i decided not to write a blog post, and let other people's posts represent my view on the whole Kony situation. Some blog posts have been successful to this effect because they are asking the right questions about the KONY 2012 campaign; and have gotten others to do the same. Nafisa, yours is one of them. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I appreciate the kind words.
DeleteI know you've been really annoyed with how ignorant some people have been to the background history of the LRA, Uganda, Kony, etc. and that many are "band-wagoners". I do, however, still feel that the Kony campaign has initiated some great awareness and its controversy has hooked people into doing more research and finding some answers. It's not perfect, but it's a start!
Check out invisible childrens website. They have responded to some of the controversy that's been brought up. Worth taking a gander. Will all this be solved by "sharing" a video? Probably not. Will this video perhaps inspire others to become more socially aware of the world's (many) issues? Quite possibly. That cant be a bad thing
ReplyDeleteI checked out the website; thanks for letting me know they responded! I think it's great that they're acknowledging the controversy and being transparent by posting their financial records. I think the video has done one GREAT, GREAT thing and it's that it has not only raised awareness, but it has initiated discussion. Not only are people realizing some of what is going on in the world, but they've also had to come to terms with the fact that each story is so unbelievably complex and that we can't believe everything we see or hear.
DeleteNafisa,
ReplyDeleteso proud of you :) Great job on bringing some new light to this issue. I don't know enough to have a solid opinion but I appreciate your views and this will get me thinking.
Love you. Keep it up, looking forward to more mosts. I know mom 'tried' writing a comment and was unsuccessful. she felt so bad so I'm representing her too :p
Haha tell her I love the support! And you and your sis too, nothing is more heartwarming than to know family is reading and taking part in things that are so important to me.
DeleteHave you helped your mom subscribe by email? If you do that, she'll automatically get an email every time I post something new; it's easy, and requires no further technological expertise :P.
your effort and insight is amazing. keep it up!
ReplyDeletep.s. its the u.s. gov't looking for more oil.
Ashna: Nafisa I don't have a profile or anything but here are my comments.Great post! However, people can only ask questions once they are aware about a current situation. I'd say ending with a "Share" is better than no share at all. As more and more people are informed, it'll stimulate thought. And hopefully they'll begin to ask questions....like yourself! And like the other article about 50 going to Kibera's slums - a different perspective... made me feel compelled to become more informed myself.
ReplyDeleteYou raise a great point Ashna. Though the campaign may not have done much "tangibly", it has definitely raised general awareness and it has gotten a lot of people to open their eyes.
DeleteP.S. I'm glad you liked the other article! Major celebrities like 50 cent need to be smarter about how they "give back"; if it's conditional, and if you're gaining more out of it than the people you're trying to help, there's definitely a problem.