Consider accuracy in KONY 2012
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I would like to preface this article by saying that I am in no way saying that Invisible Children is a fundamentally bad organization. I believe they are fighting for a noble and absolutely heart-wrenching cause. The purpose of this article is express why I will not be sporting Invisible Children apparel or jumping on the KONY 2012 bandwagon.
If you are unfamiliar with the organization, Invisible Children is a non-profit organization started by three college age men to raise awareness about Joseph Kony and the Lord's Resistance Army. Kony has built himself an empire of terror in Uganda by kidnapping roughly 30,000 children over the course of 26 years and forcing them to fight in his army.
The KONY 2012 movement was launched by Invisible Children to raise awareness and ultimately -stop Kony,-- something that does need to happen. However, while the video ultimately has good intentions, a lot of the information given is very misleading.
First of all, if you asked most people where they believe Joseph Kony is currently abducting children they would probably respond with -Uganda.-- Wrong. Kony was chased out of Uganda in 2006 and other than a very small region in the north, the country has been celebrating freedom from his reign ever since.
The only mention of this detail in the video is at 15:01 when the narrator says:
"As the LRA began to move into other countries, Jacob [one of the children filmed in Northern Uganda in 2003] and other Ugandans came to the U.S. to speak on behalf of all people suffering because of Kony. Even though Uganda was relatively safe they felt compelled to tell the world that Kony was still out there and had to be stopped."
What they fail to mention is that the reason Kony has moved from Uganda is not because Kony grew strong enough to expand his realm, but rather it is because he is hiding in the jungle, licking his well-deserved war wounds. Since he was chased out of Uganda, the number of abductions has dropped.
"Now, I understand that films and awareness is really what they are about, not direct aid... However, I would rather give my money to an organization whose primary focus is to provide relief and recovery to those affected." --Elise Porter, '11 alumna
Secondly, if you asked someone how big Kony's army is, they would probably tell you it contained thousands of children. This is also incorrect. This idea would stem from the figure given in the film, 30,000, which, is not a lie. Over the course of nearly 30 years Joseph Kony has abducted around 30,000 children. However, a more recent count would put the actual number of children under his control in the hundreds.
Obviously, these inaccuracies do not make Kony's crimes any less detestable. They do however make me hesitant to support the organization. In a good portion of the film, the context is the narrator explaining Kony's crimes to his young son.
Now, I am not going to lie, the kid is really cute. And, seeing him make declarations like -Daddy, we need to stop him!-- is empowering. But, if I am going to be giving my money and public support to an organization, I don't want an explanation of their cause that is meant for an audience with the comprehension of a 4-year-old.
Another unfortunate detail left out of the films is the tarnished history of the Ugandan army. Over the years, the Ugandan army has been guilty of many of the same crimes Kony commits. These crimes include, looting of natural resources, and the formation of prostitution rings involving girls as young as 12. Why is this such a problem? Because Invisible Children defends and works closely with the Ugandan army.
Even though I understand that Invisible Children is primarily an aid-based organization, I am still not fond of the fact that of the over $8,000,000 they spent last year, only about a third was spent on direct aid. Of the remaining money, $1,000,000 was spent on travel alone, with more overall money going to awareness programs and apparel than Africa itself.
Now, I understand that films and awareness is really what they are about, not direct aid. Truth be told, they do an excellent job with their films and awareness programs. However, I would rather give my money to an organization whose primary focus is to provide relief and recovery to those affected. Not one that spends extra money on making really cool T-shirts.
Overall, Invisible Children is a good organization. Do I wish they were more straightforward with the details of what is actually going on in Africa? Absolutely. But, they are doing good work. Someone needed to stand up for those kids, and they did. However, unless they make some changes in the way they inform the public and spend their money, my support will be going elsewhere.
Elise Porter is an '11 FC alumna, and a former staff member of The Feather. She now attends George Fox University.
For more columns, read the March 10 article, From fear to freedom.
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Posted by "Austin Rurik" on March 16, 2012 at 1:02 a.m.
Dear editor:
First let me start by saying, Elise, great article. I completely agree with every point you have brought up and I myself have dropped off the bandwagon in this latest Joseph Kony arrest effort because I felt like a hypocrite.
I have so many friends who are completely into what Invisible Children stands for. Even I have gone and done demonstrations and done my best to raise awareness for the causes Invisible Children has brought forth. There is nothing wrong with this decision to support such a cause.
But, and there always is a but, everyone who is calling for Joseph Kony's arrest is simply calling for his arrest. Doing the bare minimun to raise awareness. I have an idea, how about instead of liking Facebook statuses, and sharing articles about the subject, let us as American people actually do something! Let's go and and make more videos; let's have pickets in front of INTERPOL. DO SOMETHING!
I firmly believe that just reading an article about Joseph Kony and agreeing with the written points that members of Invisible Children have written. But doing nothing besides reading it is completely and utterly wrong. If you say you want to have Joseph Kony and the LRA brought to justice DO SOMETHING!
If you really want Child Soldiers to be released from their captivity, find a way to make it possible, start a cause of your own and partner with IC, or open up a fund to have them brought to America. Create an organization to help them get somewhere safe, pay for them to attend school, get new clothing, partner with a friend like World Vision does. DO SOMETHING!
If you really want Joseph Kony arrested sign petitions, raise more awareness, and actually get off your butts and do something about it. If you want IC's original dream, and reason for starting this cause to come to reality, spring into action! DO SOMETHING!
Stop watching aimlessly from the sidelines and get involved! If you want to buy a shirt, there are plenty of places that have cool clothes, if you want to support Invisible Children I don't believe that buying a shirt is the way to go. I believe that being consistent with your giving to the cause would be better, but I still firmly, and with one hundred percent honesty, I believe that if you want to jump on board, you should DO SOMETHING!
Bring on the Scrutiny, but if you just want to skate by doing the bare minimun but say you support something, then shame on you. If you call yourself a follower of Christ and do the bare minimun to serve God, a man who died for our sins, it literally is a perfect parallel to this cause. Calling yourself something you aren't living out is disrespectful and wrong.
I pray that we as followers of Christ would provide relief in action in multiple causes in this life.
Posted by "Jonathan Passmore" on March 16, 2012 at 1:02 a.m.
Greatest thanks to you for reading through the numerous news out there about this movement and providing us a condensed, humble, and most of all, a penetrating perspective on the matter.
Posted by "Braham" on March 16, 2012 at 1:02 a.m.
Every thing in this world has a flip side to it. Thankyou for shedding some light on the other side. Every one seemed to jump on the bandwagon ( including me some what ) I had seen invisible children give a presentation 2 years ago , they seem like a Ligit grip of guys who want to help . But in my opinion the have the heart but just need to manage economic side of the charity better .
Posted by "Katie Barisic" on March 15, 2012 at 1:02 a.m.
If this have been going on for so long, I am surprised that it has taken so long for an organization like Invisible Children to surface. Nevertheless it is better late then never, and I hope this will make a difference. Great article by the way.
Posted by "Spencer" on March 14, 2012 at 1:02 a.m.
This is perfect and addresses the topic right on. There are so many other organizations that are more transparent in their business practices.
Posted by "Liz O" on March 14, 2012 at 1:02 a.m.
Thank you for illuminating some of the places that the Kony 2012 movement has left in the dark. It is good to have a balanced and educated view of organizations that can donate our money to.
Newberg, OR
Posted by "Brandon Porter" on March 16, 2012 at 1:02 a.m.
Atta girl Elise! I don't think anyone could have done a better job with this article. I can really tell you know what you're talking about, and you provided some awesome insight in to an issue that has been made so trite by recent campaigns. Very nicely done.