Week 7- KONY Movement

So I want to talk about something off topic this week.  We studied the nature movement, and that’s fantastic.  I like nature, I like camping, I don’t want it to go away and so forth.  But there’s a huge to-do this week regarding the KONY movement and I’m all about it.

Invisible Children (IC) is an organization dedicated to bringing down Joseph Kony, war criminal and leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army.  The not-for- profit organization is leading a crusade to popularizing Kony in hopes of drawing enough societal pressure from the masses to maintain US and force international government aid.  The marketing campaign released by the group has garnered massive media attention.  Their flashy YouTube video has reached 27 million views within days of its posting.  Inevitably the organization has become a target for criticizers.    Let’s consider a few of these arguments.

1.       Joseph Kony is no longer a threat.  He is dying or starving somewhere. Uganda is safe.

a.       This is fantastic news.  But that doesn’t mean he is permitted to go free.  He must pay for his crimes.  His victims deserve justice.  Nazi officers are still being tried for their war crimes today.  Criminals need to understand that at some point, they will have to face the law.  Invalid argument.

2.       There are more pressing matters in Africa right now.

a.       Of course there are.  There are pressing matters everywhere.  It’s really a matter of opinion anyway- what’s more important than this is that… IC is seeking to bring a bad man to justice.  This issue matters to the founders of IC.  This is a good thing.

3.       Americans need to worry about what’s going on in America and not focus on the rest of the world.

a.       When the day comes, that a human being turns a blind eye to the suffering and rape of children anywhere, they cease to be a human being.  Period.  I love being an American.  I am a citizen of the planet Earth first and foremost.

4.       IC only sent 30 some odd percent of its donations to Africa.

a.       This one kills me.  They are not a charity claiming to build hospitals, feed starving babies, immunize children… they’re marketers!  They make that point very clear.  That flashy YouTube video probably cost a fortune to make.  It costs me $10 to print stuff out on campus somedays.  One wonder how much it costs to print a million flyers, erect billboards, fly all over the world to spread the word, hotels, meals, maintain a staff, offices, etc.  Come on people!!  They sent money over to build a school and emergency communication system.  Good for them.  Some 3 mil. from what I understand.  That’s 3 mil more than I sent. What about you?

5.       They pay themselves too much. 

a.       So from the website Charity Navigator, we see the three principles are earning in the 80k range.  People, that’s not a lot.  I get we’re in a recession, but based in San Diego, CA, 80k is relatively moderate for the average working class family.  I really hate people that hate on other people because they make more money.  I’m very sorry you’re not well off right now.  But it’s clear these individuals have worked very hard, put in many hours, and have earned a decent income due to their innovation.  Pay yourselves a little more, I don’t care.  But I digress, that’s a whole other blog.

Anyway, to sum up, IC may turn out to be a far from perfect organization.  They could end up being frauds, who knows.  But their redefinement of social media activism is historical.  This group has caught worldwide attention in days; they’ve used FB and twitter to call for the arrest of a horrible war criminal.  I fail to see how this could be reasonably criticized.  Aside from the trendiness that KONY bracelets will ensue amongst high school kids in the coming weeks, there will be at least one person.  One.  One child perhaps that will be inspired.  Inspired to make a difference and champion for a better tomorrow.  Doesn’t that make IC worthwhile?  A success already?  Let’s look at the bigger picture people.  People all over the world, 27 mil. thought beyond themselves for 30 min.  In a world of ego and ethnocentrism run rampant, this means something!!  I’m a history student- likely on my way towards a masters in the subject next year.  I take everything with a grain of salt.  It’s second nature for me to think critically and analytically.  Sure, don’t just jump on the KONY bandwagon, but don’t hop on the criticism train just to rebel against the trend either.  

I choose to see the big picture.  People are helping each other.  Who are you to point your finger and judge?  If you don’t like the way things are run, do something yourself and do it better.  But, do not, do not criticize others who are making the world a better place just because they’re doing it in ways you don’t see fit.  

http://kony2012.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=12429