Before you read on, please watch this video by Rosebell Kagumire (@RosebellK), a Ugandan blogger, in Uganda. It is her response to the KONY 2012 Campaign.
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The country I was born in (Iran) is on the verge of nuclear war with the US, but because its the middle east, nobody wants to talk about it. Why not? Because we’ve already been branded as evil? Because the Middle East is bad, and Africa is better, or more valuable? I hope you didn’t say yes.
The KONY 2012 Craze has effectively hijacked all of our social feeds.
What I want to know, is that if you gave the same resources that we have (the force of hundreds of thousands, and $13 million dollar budgets…) to other nations, what kind of video would they produce about the USA?
What horrors have other nations seen of our people entering their countries by force; disabling nations and its people; enslaving millions; nuclear attacks; civilizations and their cultures, crumbled… all in the name of greed. We’re good guys? What right do we have to step in and act all wonderful, after we’ve effectively fucked a whole lot up, ourselves?
Unfortunately, Uganda and other poor nations don’t have the means to produce 8 million dollar movies, and so they get left in the dust, leaving us to appear like the good guys.
If you really want to help the world, start by looking at the world as a whole and not only from where you stand within it.
I never once claimed what he’s doing isn’t wrong, or that he shouldn’t be stopped. I’m very much in support of the cause, I just don’t agree with THIS message, the strategy put forth, or the lack of critical thinking by the people.
I compare this filmmaker to Hitler in some ways. Not in the sense that he is an evil person or that he has killed millions… but he (and the rest of the Invisible Children Organization) are effectively brainwashing young people with beautiful media and their abilities to inspire masses with a quick tongue and passion, to join their cause… and fight for something that THEY believe in.
Think back to when you were in high school… with the exception of a few, most people didn’t have much to be too passionate about, other than hooking up with girls, hating homework and Saturday nights. These are impressionable kids who have not been educated enough to make their own decisions and/or decode their own views of the world, and especially its many problems. They haven’t had a chance to choose what to support on their own… if anything. Its unfair to show them pictures that are tied to a message and effectively use juxtapositioning to gain leverage over large groups of young people. Invisible People is harnessing the power of people and community, and putting it to work for their fight. Doesn’t matter if its a noble or selfish cause, its not right to exploit children for anybody’s benefit… *ahem*
But I guess its better than nothing right? If hundreds of thousands want to share a video to spread the message on Facebook, its a good thing right?
That’s all I keep hearing from everyone…
To that, I say: They’re using propaganda in the form of bracelets, beautifully designed posters, stickers and other (child-friendly) collateral, to hype young people up, and sway the media. That video didn’t drive attention to the people of Uganda. It was a 30 minute commercial for the Invisible Children. It was a proposal to every individual to begin buying the Action Packs and spreading his message in your communities. When Hitler was in power, Swastikas were posted everywhere… This film maker is now asking your children, your friends, your siblings, your family, your co-workers, your spouse and everyone else you know to do the same, only with his own version of a poster.
Is this to raise awareness amongst us all, so that we make a change? Or is it the epic, sticker-laden conclusion of a 12 year campaign by Invisible Children?
Are you fucking serious? You want me to deface my local community of Vancouver with stickers and posters ALL in one night, so that city officials become aware of Joseph Kony and hopefully somebody makes a change? Wait… let me repeat that… you want me to paste the face of a war criminal from Uganda all over my city in hopes that someone thousands of miles away is arrested? You are trying to tell me that people won’t get carried away? You think a midnight walk around the city won’t bring out those Vancouver Playoff rioters again? You think people won’t just use this as an opportunity to spray paint the town and destroy shit? You don’t think your car that is parked on the street overnight is going to be smothered in stickers? Are you using your brain, at all, critically?
I’m in shock of this entire campaign. It all happened SO fast… 2 days… nobody seems to have had enough time to think this through… I haven’t even covered all of my points here… but that doesn’t matter. I want to use this blog post as a means to communicate a challenge to YOU!
I want you to pretend that you are this film maker, and you are starting to plan your campaign. You have $8 million, and want to make a difference. What would you make a video of? How would you use creativity (and a fat budget) to encourage positive change? It doesn’t have to be about Uganda or Kony… Here it is:
HERE’S MY CHALLENGE TO YOU: IF SOMEBODY COMMISSIONED YOU TO CREATE A 30 MINUTE FILM, USING An $8 MILLION BUDGET, HOW WOULD YOU USE YOUR CREATIVITY TO INSPIRE POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE WORLD? POSITIVE CHANGE CAN START IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY OR ON A GLOBAL SCALE. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE ABOUT UGANDA OR KONY… JUST ABOUT INCITING CHANGE FOR THE GOOD! WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH ALL THIS POWER?
Please leave a comment below with your response, but more importantly, ask your friends this question. Start a discussion around it, tweet it, make it your status, share this blog post… Start thinking about how you would make a change if you could, and see where it takes you.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope my words and my challenge has resonated with some of you. I look forward to hearing your responses.
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