Having posted about Kony 2012 I have been sent a link by the fab Razmataz which questions the work of Invisible Children with regards to the viral campaign. I read the article with interest and tried to weigh up the issues the writers Geoffrey York and Sonia Verma raise.
They write that:
... the wild success of the campaign has provoked an angry backlash on social media sites and from many Africans, and from scholars who study Africa. They say the campaign is simplistic and manipulative, with deceptive claims, murky finances and a questionable strategy.
They write that:
... the wild success of the campaign has provoked an angry backlash on social media sites and from many Africans, and from scholars who study Africa. They say the campaign is simplistic and manipulative, with deceptive claims, murky finances and a questionable strategy.
The U.S. activists are “selling a pack of lies to unaware youth to raise money for themselves,” said Ugandan blogger TMS Ruge in one of a series of critical tweets.
Now, I don't want to be old fashioned here, but when I watched the film the thing that struck me was that letting a mass murderer remain free and able to abduct children was the key issue. I had the choice whether to buy an "action kit" from Invisible Children and being the sensible person I am I chose not to. I am not going to send money to a company I know nothing about. I did not immediately think that Invisible Children must be a totally pure organisation which I could sign up to without investigation.
What hit me was the fact that Joseph Kony was still able to commit atrocities. If Invisible Children have done anything wrong they will be dealt with. Joseph Kony has been murdering, inciting murder, raping, inciting rape, mutilating ... for 20 years. Surely this issue is greater than Invisible Children. It is the starting place for something to be done about an evil man.
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| image from invisible children |
I did not watch the film and think "Hurrah! The West is going to save Africa!" What a simplistic view. I saw it as part of my responsibility as a citizen of the world, a mother, a daughter, a caring person, to step forward and say that I too was appalled by the actions of this man and his army. I saw this as a start and was moved by the response of so many young people who used Facebook to voice their horror over this man's actions.
This is not about the West saving Africa, its about murder, abduction and rape being unacceptable anywhere in the world. For 20 years this man has been able to escape justice. I just hope that the publicity about him helps bring him to court. I think and hope that the vast majority of people, whether they be black, white, African British or American, would want the same simple thing - that Joseph Kony, and after him the other cruel and evil people of the world, be brought to justice and stopped from continuing to behave in this way.
I may be naive and I may be criticised for being too trusting, but I want you to look beyond the smaller picture and into the greater one. What matters are those children, those people, their suffering and the chance that somehow I, we, could be a small part of stopping it. If I,we, don't take a step forward and say "I care. I want to help." - who will?
Post Script
I have received a comment from Inkling and I was so moved by both her words and those she quotes that I want to share them with you here. They are from Theodore Roosevelt. Thank you Inkling.
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
Post Script
I have received a comment from Inkling and I was so moved by both her words and those she quotes that I want to share them with you here. They are from Theodore Roosevelt. Thank you Inkling.
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
3 comments:
Totally agree with you, Sarah. I've been watching the criticism with interest. For as many academics who are saying Africans are upset, there seem to be as many Africans saying, "Thank you for finally telling our story."
The one thing that has come to mind over and over again as I've watched the controversy is a quote by Theodore Roosevelt......
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
If we can remember that, perhaps we'll all try to make sure we don't just stand up as righteous critics, but that we actually do something to make this world a better place. We can all find an organization we trust to sponsor a child or contribute even a tiny bit to relief efforts in distressed areas. Some of us can adopt, others can write letters, and still others can actually go and work in the trenches providing care and hands-on relief. It makes me sad to see all these critics jumping on IC instead of kindly offering alternatives for serving our human brothers and sisters in need.
I think the way you are writing about this is lovely and important.
I only posted the link because it was from our National Paper and is usually a well researched opinion. I have heard some other debates over the past few days. I like to explore all sides when I hear controversy. If you dig into many foundations and charities I am sure there is food for thought. What matters is the kids and something being done to save them. I do this the intentions are honerable.
Hi Razmataz.I'm really grateful that you sent the link. I think its very important to look at as much information as possible and I think your link added to my understanding of the issue.Sarah x
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