Did you watch Kony2012 and post a link to the video on your Facebook page? Did you tweet about the film using #StopKony on Twitter? This was a truly amazing example of film-making, marketing and journalism in one; that is indicative by the true emotional response that the film triggered in most of us. But, are you guilty of "slactivisim" (misinformed or, in the case of Kony2012, partially informed activism) like I am? I went to Invisible Children's website to purchase a bracelet and an Action Kit for $30 knowing that the campaign probably wouldn't realistically result in Joseph Kony getting arrested, yet assuming that my funds would be used wisely by this non-profit. After doing further research on the Ugandan/ LRA conflict and Invisible Children's plan to improve the region, I wish I would have been more educated and donated my funds differently.
Pros to Invisible Children's Kony2012: using social media as a tool to expose atrocities against humanity, getting the 83 million viewers on board to maybe further become educated on something bigger than what the mainstream media is talking about and potentially prompting people to learn more about the historical context of the LRA in Uganda and the surrounding countries in Africa. These pros are good for the Facebook Generation and good for mankind.
However, here are the most sound counter arguments to the Invisible Children campaign that I've seen yet, courtesy of Aljazeera.com:
Pros to Invisible Children's Kony2012: using social media as a tool to expose atrocities against humanity, getting the 83 million viewers on board to maybe further become educated on something bigger than what the mainstream media is talking about and potentially prompting people to learn more about the historical context of the LRA in Uganda and the surrounding countries in Africa. These pros are good for the Facebook Generation and good for mankind.
However, here are the most sound counter arguments to the Invisible Children campaign that I've seen yet, courtesy of Aljazeera.com:
- Dangerous ignorance: The hysteria of Kony 2012 - The video qualifies as irresponsible advocacy by prompting militarisation and detracting from Uganda's real problems.
- 'Kony 2012' and the Future of Activism - Should charities freely use the power of social media to shape public opinion around the world?
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