Stop Kony? No, Stop Invisible Children.

Before I start, I would just like to say that if you take even one thing away from this, let it be the encouragement to do your own research and think for yourself BEFORE supporting Stop Kony 2012.

Lately all we’ve been hearing about is this worldwide “Stop Kony” or “Kony 2012” movement. While I’m sure most have seen the video, I’m sure that a lot of us have not stopped to think about much beside the sad images, the empathetic narration, and the motivational music. I will admit, I did the same. After finishing the video I felt empowered. I felt as if I could walk outside right then and there and start spreading the message. I tried to log onto the website to figure out how I could get my action kit, and I started planning what I was going to do to help.

It wasn’t until a few hours later that I realized I knew nothing about this issue. I was going off of purely what one person had said, and that’s not like me. I’m the kind of person that needs facts. I need research and I need to develop my own opinion.

So there I was, sitting in awe of how much this video had gotten to my head. I’m thinking “What the hell? What am I doing? I’m a like a sheep. It’s the mob mentality. The play on emotions. A very well developed use of pathos.”

All of a sudden I kind of just snapped out of it and started looking at the situation from an outside point of view. I started thinking. For myself. And as I’m thinking, I’m getting more and more upset. Because I’m realizing what a ridiculous idea this is. Making this man famous? Joseph Kony becoming the object of conversation. The trending topic on twitter. An issue that either connects or separates people on such an argumentative and controversial level. I’ve had people show me some intense hate just for the fact that I brought up an opposing thought. For the fact that I had a different view. I was astounded at how quickly people got so serious about this issue.

When I show my opposition to the Stop Kony 2012 campaign, I am not even given time to explain my reasoning. People are so quick to judge. They feel like I’m heartless, like I don’t care about the children, and they don’t see how I don’t support this cause. Well to be honest, I can’t see how they CAN support it.

By supporting the Stop Kony 2012 campaign, you are supporting…:

• The increase of Ugandan military who, themselves, both rape and loot
• The increase of American military being sent into Uganda
• The fight between American military and the LRA children army, meaning that many of those brainwashed kids WILL be killed
• 68% of the foundations money going to areas that are NOT related to direct services, BUT going to other things including staff salaries, travel and transport, and film production.
• and many more negative and dangerous aspects that are not addressed by Invisible Children, the video, or the campaign

There are so many flaws with this organization and campaign.

• You are not informed of where the  donations or money from the product sales goes to
• The top 3 people with the branch of Invisible Children, “Kony 2012”, made almost $90,000 in salary last year!
• They were involved in fraudulent activity two years ago http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/22/fraud-in-facebookchase-co_n_433928.html
• The campaign and organization promotes awareness NOT action
• They do not encourage or allow volunteers to get involved in Uganda
• They do not accept anything except cash donations (no clothes, no food, etc.)
• Their film is one sided and does NOT acknowledge all of the facts
• KONY IS NOT THE MAIN ISSUE IN THE CRISIS IN UGANDA.

Please listen to what this Ugandan woman, Rosebell Kagumire, has to say about the issue. She shares insight to what the REAL problem is and what is TRULY going on there.

She is open to discussing on twitter. @RosebellK

For more information and other critic’s opinions I highly suggest checking out

http://drowninginsive.wordpress.com/

“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*”

As well as

http://visiblechildren.tumblr.com/

“KONY 2012 is the product of a group called Invisible Children, a controversial activist group and not-for-profit. They’ve released 11 films, most with an accompanying bracelet colour (KONY 2012 is fittingly red), all of which focus on Joseph Kony. When we buy merch from them, when we link to their video, when we put up posters linking to their website, we support the organization. I don’t think that’s a good thing, and I’mnotalone.

Invisible Children has been condemned time and time again. As a registered not-for-profit, its finances are public. Last year, the organization spent $8,676,614. Only 32% went to direct services (page 6), with much of the rest going to staff salaries, travel and transport, and film production. This is far from ideal for an issue which arguably needs action and aid, not awareness, and Charity Navigator rates their accountability 2/4 stars because they lack an external audit committee. But it goes way deeper than that.”

Invisible Children’s Contact information (You can leave a voicemail)

info@invisiblechildren.com // 619.562.2799

THINK FOR YOURSELF! DO YOUR RESEARCH!!