No. No. No. No. No.
BBallin, as you know I'm in a land of little internet. Well, the reason is because I work in peace, security, and governance issues in East Africa and I was just sent to the region.
There are a couple of reasons why this Kony 2012 is VERY misleading.
1. The videos 90% comprised of events that happened over 5 years ago. As This link
https://davidsangokoya.wordpress.com/2012/03/07/selling-ol... beautifully states, showing this video is a lot like showing footage of the September 11 attacks to people who lived in a cave for the last decade. Those people would want to help. To do anything to stop al-Qaeda. The problem is, it's over. Yes Kony is still alive, but he's not in Uganda and Uganda even kicked out US troops just like the ones invisible children are advocating for.
2. This video isn't about Ugandans, it's about a white guy and his family. Think about it, are any Ugandans, besides his friend/ muse, interviewed? Are any Ugandans or Ugandan organizations put forward as part of the solution? No, not unless you count the Ugandan military -- which is problematic in its own ways. Instead, the video HAMMERS in the point that THIS GUY is going to SAVE THE AFRICANS. This is most problematic because, like the White Man's Burden
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_White_Man%27s_Burden it is part of a slippery slope suggesting that white people have an obligation to rule over "less developed" and darker-skinned peoples until they can place in the world.
That said, I understand that people want to help. Kony is a monster and justice needs to occur. If you want to help, I suggest two places to give money (neither are my organization).
http://www.kiva.org/ -- a microfinance institution where you can fund projects that communities identify and create (rather than international organizations dictating what projects = development)
more focused on Justice in Uganda is The Refugee Law Project
http://www.refugeelawproject.org/strategy_and_funding.php.
Cheers,
Mzungu
Last edited by Mzungu77 at 3/10/2012 12:22:00 AM