KONY 2012: Take What You Want From It

After witnessing the KONY 2012 firestorm that hit the web a couple weeks ago, I think that there are many positives that can be taken from the movement, as well as lessons of caution that can be learned from it as well. I don't really know where I stand on the whole issue. I do think however, that the the Invisible Children group has set a powerful precedent for humanitarian movements in the future. While I feel that a majority of the opposition to KONY has focused on IC's manipulation of viewers emotions, I think it would be hard for many humanitarian groups to NOT take notice at how effective such a practice can be at spreading awareness. I mean, how many times have you seen a movie to see an incredible film that wrenches at your heart-strings and makes you want to go out and do something about it? I understand that the situation in Uganda is far from what IC made it seem to be. There is a rich history and culture that is still not recognized by the IC in their film or in their description of the situation involving KONY. Everyone who contemplates helping in the effort to stop Joseph Kony has to first do their research about Uganda as a whole before deciding that they want to act. I think the most profound part of the whole KONY phenomenon is how powerful a role social media played in its birth. This could set a huge precedent for future humanitarian efforts around the globe. But it also shows how dangerous a video can be if it fails to accurately depict their cause. The KONY 2012 video was as close to modern-day propaganda as we can get in America. Hopefully future humanitarian efforts can try and harness the kind of widespread awareness and marketing that IC discovered, but all in order to present an honest and truthful argument.

Comments

[Veronica T.]

I completely agree. They did a good job in raising awareness, and while they may not have presented everything fairly, they got people interested. And those people who want to do something can do further research and may or may not take part.