I have seen the KONY 2012 video posted on a lot of blogs, but I am posting it here because everyone has a responsibility to spread the word about this tragic injustice.
A couple of years ago, I was fortunate to work on an unrelated project with a local filmmaker, Andy Krakower, who produced and directed the documentary “The Children’s War.” I went to his premiere a couple of years ago and I remember sitting in the theater wondering how on earth something like this could be happening in our world. Words just cannot express how you feel when you view a documentary like his.
Then, today, I saw the KONY 2012 video like millions of others, and I felt compelled to share it here as well because the more people who see this—the more people will be aware that this is happening and be motivated and compelled to help.
Please watch this video and find out what you can to do help too—and most importantly, please share it so that even more awareness and advocacy arises from that.
xoxo,
Veronika.
allie says
I watched the video today, and I was bawling my eyes out. I really hope people will notice this and finally get Kony arrested.
Allie
thefashionroute.blogspot.com
[email protected] says
me too…I started bawling when the little boy was crying…if you don't cry at that…I don't even know how that's possible
allie says
when i heard that Jacob's brother was killed, that's when the tears came ):
Allie
thefashionroute.blogspot.com
[email protected] says
that is the exact same moment I started to bawl
Andrea says
Thank you for posting this! If you haven't cried enough already, look at the Facebook page. The disturbing images of his cruelty towards others has had me in tears all night.
Anonymous says
Hi veronika
I love your blog, and I hate to get political online, but I must urge you to do research on the organization and the Kony 2012 movement. There is a lot of misinformation on the video that's going around, also the invisible children foundation is a VERY shady one. Yes I agree he is very evil man but he has been inactive since 2006 and Uganda faces many more problems that this man in the present, a big one being their own military force who has been accused of rapping women multiple time is the past( by the way the INvisible C. Foundation supports this same military force.
[email protected] says
Hi—since seeing the documentary "The Children's War," as I mentioned above, this is a cause I have been made aware of.
I think a movement like this is powerful and I will continue to do my research, as you suggested. If this movements ends with the imprisonment of this man, then he could stop hurting these children. I personally know the film maker who produced the other film I mentioned and to hear him describe what these children go through is devastating. If there is a way I can help by creating awareness, I am going to do it.
Hayley says
https://jezebel.com/5891269/think-twice-before-donating-to-kony-2012-the-meme-du-jour
The issue is not that the cause isn't valid, it definitely is. The issue is with the way Invisible Children is going about "helping". Only 32% of funds go toward the ACTUAL cause. Maybe there is a better charity out there that will put more money toward a more effective way of helping?
Anonymous says
Sorry for my poor grammar above. Typed in a hurry 🙂
Anonymous says
I agree with you and I'm all for awareness as well. I however encourage people to focus on awaress about the person himself and the issues in Uganda rather than supporting this particular organization. There is plenty of others that do amazing things for the cause at hand, I'm sure the other video you mentioned is one of those.
Events by Lindsay says
This video horrified me and broke my heart at the same time. Every once in a while you see something that changes you a little, and I will do whatever I can to help, big or small. This shouldn't be going on in our world. There's absolutely no excuse to let it.
Erin says
Veronika–– coincidentally, I know the guys that started Invisible Children, and worked with them years ago right after they finished their original documentary. They are in NO WAY shady. Working in such a dangerous and corrupt country, you have a lot to navigate in order to make the biggest change and difference. I could go on an on but that's not my point really here. I do think you should always do your research like she said, but Invisible Children is truly amazing in terms of getting the message out there and making a difference.
Lauren@ Not Your Average Southern Belle says
Invisible Children is a shady organization at best. I'd do a little more research.
https://politisane.wordpress.com/2012/03/07/beware-throwing-your-support-behind-invisible-children-and-their-kony-bandwagon/
Hannah says
I think awareness is good but more research into the subject is needed. This article outlines it very well. I'm sure that everyone involved with the Invisible Children has the best intentions but the issues in Uganda are much more complicated than they seem.
https://innovateafrica.tumblr.com/post/18897981642/you-dont-have-my-vote
Anonymous says
While you are reading about them being "scammers"— also see their response. It is complicating just as others said, but for example, to say they work with corrupt politicians and armies is true– because the whole darn area is filled with corruption and if they decided not to work with any aspect of the government there that is corrupt, well… they wouldn't get anything done at all because they would have no one to work with!
https://www.invisiblechildren.com.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/critiques.html
amelia says
I've read the "You Don't Have My Vote" thing almost a dozen times now. A few things. a)What they are asking for is for the message to get out. For there to be pressure placed on your government for continued aid. b) I understand that it leads to the question, 'then what' but while searching for Bin Laden, no one questioned what happens to their nation after, one thing at a time. Solve the first problem. c) Yes. We are all very aware that Kony is not longer in Uganda, but he is a criminal that must be found and tried nonetheless, though the numbers of his following is lower CURRENTLY than that of the video, it is a cumulative number, and even 1 is too many. e) Yes. The issue IS far more complex than shown. As all political histories are. Yes the solution is not to simply share and talk, but it does encourage a rather disinterested population to stand for something. They ignored Hitler for almost 10 years as well. Why stand for this and not fix what's in your own backyard first? Because sometimes you must start somewhere, and why not with that atrocity. d)Yes. It does seem a bit 'white man's burden' but IF IT'S NOT YOUR BURDEN WHO'S IS IT?! Is it so wrong to try to help even in the littlest ways?
Sharing it may not help those in need directly, but doing so does things like keep pressure on, encourage those who where ignorant before to question what goes on more, (and to be honest, who stops at a video? After one goes and finds out further what is going on, equaling individual education, the depth as to which depends on the person.) Finally, simply sharing which is what was asked in the video, hence the wildfire it spread like. It may lead someone to help, volunteer, become less ignorant. It may have been seen by your future president who will get up and try to help, and continue to, making this a better place. Thank you for sharing V, and by 'doing your research' I'm sure that a gazillion other people on here will try to do that for you, so I would not bother to. Just sit back and be preached to why it's such a dirty shame you pressed the 'share' button. On the other hand, I think you did good.
*end rant*
KellyMarie says
Well said, Amelia! I couldnt agree with you more. And thank you for sharing, veronika.
KellyMarie says
Well said, Amelia! I couldn't agree more with everything you said. And thank you for sharing, Veronika!
Hannah says
You seem offended by my comment and apologies if you and other were. Don't think that people who add further information to the argument are naysaying your concern. I think that everyone should know what has gone on in Uganda. I wouldn't have known about the LRA if I hadn't seen another video produced by IC in 2006. That being said I believe that if we start addresses this issues with IC which "You Don't Have My Vote" does will put pressure on IC to change to become a better organization.
Also regarding who's burden it is. I'm going to have to say it's the Uganda's burden. They are oppressed but they are not helpless. They have and continue to fight against the LRA. (They are currently in peace talks with them actually.) This doesn't mean that we shouldn't help them but Ugandan leadership and involvement is key to this process. It would be wonderful if IC adapted to involve Ugandan leadership.
I don't think that the spreading of the Kony video is "bad". I think it could be a wonderful thing if those who see it dig deeper and moved to action by it. Veronika has provided a platform for discussion of an important issue for some people who may have never thought about before. But please don't discount the role of discussion in this issue.
Anna says
Thank you for posting this, Veronika. I will pass along.
Ana says
The question of the validity of the Invisible Children foundation is not the message. Regardless of that, the importance is making this sadistic man known to raise awareness and bring about change.
Amelia says it so well.
Spread the message and leave it at that. I'm glad Veronika posted about this and is spreading the message.
Anonymous says
I think it is easy to find material online to support whichever side of the issue we choose. It's the internet – if you wanted to prove the sky was purple you could no doubt find "proof" online.
I myself am just starting to do research on this and will continue to do so. I think that is the point of this video and of V's post – to get people talking and reading and thinking and most importantly, at the end of all of that, ACTING. Let's not get so caught up in the debate that we forget the point of all of this – ATROCIOUS things are happening in the world and it is all too easy to turn a blind eye and instead get worked up about Snooki's pregnancy or the traffic on the freeway. That would be the most tragic thing of all – for us to forget the point.
I, for one, appreciate the information and will now get to work sorting the facts out for myself.
Anonymous says
If anyone REALLY wants to know how IC spends their money they would be better off reading the company's public filings than listening to a random blogger's opinion which is supported by select facts that have been taken out of context. (I am NOT referring to V, I am referring to the multiple links that people have left in their comments supporting their view.)
As dangerous as it can be to take a viral video at face value, it is possibly even more dangerous to discount it outright because of a few haters.
Bottom line – don't get so overly emotional one way or the other that you forget to use your head. Don't label an organization as shady because you read ONE blog post that stated that. And don't throw your money at an organization just because they got you thinking without understanding exactly what you are donating to. The point of all of this (including IC's documentary) is awareness and anyone who asserts an ignorant opinion is impeding that goal.
Again, thank you V for putting this on your blog and continuing the chain of awareness. May we all take heed, do our due diligance in regard to UNBIASED research and, ultimately, be moved to make a positive difference at the end of the day.
Awareness without action is pointless.
Rachel says
Everyone is hopping on this ridiculous bandwagon without doing any research what-so-ever. Seriously, only 31% of donations go towards helping anyone. This organization is sketchy. I'd rather donate and volunteer elsewhere.
Erin says
31% go to directly helping there. A lot of their money goes towards the staffing and film making because awareness is one of their biggest goals. They are creating powerful films that resonate with people so they pass them on to others, and so forth. This costs a lot of money, but it's been invaluable. They went from being well known in San Diego, to well known across the U.S. through producing these videos to go viral and having a team of people that travels across the country showing the video and rallying college kids. Again… this is a valuable place to invest money! Their goal is to force American government to do something and pay attention to Kony by having the whole darn U.S. know about what's going on and demand it, and you know what–– there's an article now on the yahoo homepage. All valuable and all smart investing beyond the 31% that goes directly to the kids. The fact that you call this ridiculous is disappointing to say the least. I will say it again– they are not sketchy and the one thing I agree with you on is doing research, as understanding their overall mission and goals will help anyone understand what amazing work they are doing.
Anonymous says
I think it's great that people are getting passionate about this, but at the same time it makes me roll my eyes (not at you personally, V).
This video has lead to so many "likes" for the Invisible Children group and TONS of media coverage. Why are so many people jumping on the bandwagon now when this has been going on for over 2 decades. I suppose that's the great thing about social media, but at the same time, it's all done in vain. Here are some interesting links to read about how shady IC is and how actually American people are doing more harm.
https://visiblechildren.tumblr.com/
https://thatneedstogo.tumblr.com/post/18907388408/kony-2012-causing-more-harm-than-good
https://jezebel.com/5891269/think-twice-before-donating-to-kony-2012-the-meme-du-jour
-T
Samatha says
I think its great that you posted a blog about this. Did you see it was on the news yesterday? I don't remember which one…maybe CNN. But that's pretty amazing right?
Erin says
A great article that wraps up this debate on your blog nicely…
"Agree or disagree with Invisible Children’s message and methods, we’re now engaged in a vast, social-media-fueled discussion about an incredibly complex socio-political issue. That’s progress."
https://www.fastcoexist.com/1679473/how-the-most-viral-video-in-the-history-of-social-change-gave-uganda-a-voice