Thursday, March 8, 2012

Viral Good

Barbara: This video went viral in exactly six days. How did I find out about it? The darling daughter of my BabyFest friends has been a passionate advocate for all things Africa ever since, well, ever since I can remember. She went to Kenya to teach last summer and came back an even more passionate advocate. Of course, she would be inspired by the Kony 2012 movement!

As she can introduce the film and its phenomenon better than I, here’s what she says:

Brianna: The film gives you most of the information you need regarding Invisible Children and Joseph Kony. What is really inspiring me right now is how viral the video went, and the many possibilities it could unlock. Over 100 of my Facebook friends reposted the video. Student organizations (including the ones I am in charge of) are planning events, and everyone is gearing up to "cover the night" on April 20th. All of a sudden, people really care.

What I am trying to figure out is why now? What does this video present that other organizations have not? I have known about the LRA for quite some time—why are people listening now? Was it because people just didn't know? I have a few ideas including:
- It gives everyday people the chance to catch the bad guy
- They are not asking for money, or asking people to build schools, they're asking for people to make noise. 
- That film puts faces behind stories, and shows the link between the US and Africa.

Regardless, I am just so inspired by how inspired others are getting about this, and I hope people continue to research further. Unfortunately Kony is not unique. Rebel groups are using child soldiers in many other countries including Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Sudan. Capturing Kony is so important, but I hope this is just the spark that begins to open the world's eyes.

I hope that after watching the film people take action and keep educating themselves and moving forward. Invisible Children has done something truly spectacular and I cannot wait to be a part of what happens next.

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.


Barbara: What I believe is this: a) all that stuff ornery people like to spew about young people “not caring” is absolute BS. This is snowballing thanks to caring kids all over the world, b) we can truly gather and gain momentum for good in this new socially connected world like never before, and lastly, c) the primary importance of a campaign like this is not in funding it, but in realizing the force of our collective good—which also carries the power to let those who “do whatever they want with no consequences” realize irrefutably that “we’re watching you” … by the millions.

27 comments:

  1. Barb every point you wrote is PERFECT......"the primary importance of a campaign like this is not in funding it, but in realizing the force of our collective good—which also carries the power to let those who “do whatever they want with no consequences” realize irrefutably that “we’re watching you” … by the millions."
    That was Brilliant Barb..!!! the first point was spot on !.I think this entire campaign is a "slap-on-the-face" for those who think we dont !!!

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    1. Thanks for jumping on that, Shalaka. Because I absolutely believe that to be the "lesson" in this one. Our voices can be more powerful than our dollars -- and we can't ever forget that.

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  2. Oh....and a totally different subject.... HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY !!!

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    1. Yes, HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, everyone!! Just an fyi, Deb and I attended a breakfast this morning in honour of it -- and Deb gave the most beautiful speech EVER. We'll be posting that tomorrow. I'm on my way to Guelph tonight where an event that I've been working on is presenting: Women's Voices. A collaboration of dance, music and film artists performing in honour of Women's Day, where all the proceeds go to Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis. More on that later! xoxo

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    2. DANCE..???? oh can I come.....MENTALLY :P...????

      Cant wait for Deb's speech !!!! Ofcourse it was AWESOME its DEB...!
      And have fun at the event !!! Cant wait to hear about it !!! Its gonna be awesome !!!! LOVE YA !XOXO

      PS I just watched this video you'll love it talk a look
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbivQyGDIKs&feature=related

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    3. Oh my god, Shalaka, I saw the small clip of this in the Kony video and was already moved, but watching the whole thing is KILLER! What a miracle. Thank you!!

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    4. ANYTIME HONEY...!!! I watched it in the video too...and found it in the most viewed on the right hand side...and couldnt resist....turns out...she was also interviewed on ELLEN ! It was just so moving....

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  3. Can you help me?
    I discovered the Kony 2012 video yesterday, and watched it.
    I was shocked, and moved, and thought helping would be awesome.

    I think it is important when thousands of people stand together and fight for the helpless.

    It's a great idea to make Kony "famous", so that everyone on this planet recognizes his face.

    I loved how those people gathered and spoke for those poor children. And I hope that they are finally heard.

    But I also received some messages that this organization isn't as it seems. Now I'm confused...

    Link: http://wilwheaton.tumblr.com/post/18920717928/thedailywhat-on-kony-2012-i-honestly-wanted-to

    http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/03/07/guest_post_joseph_kony_is_not_in_uganda_and_other_complicated_things

    I won't donate money...I only think that it's always important to think of those, who are easily forgotten and too weak to be heard...

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    1. Thanks, Becki, for bringing this up. We did also want to address how we felt about this controversial side of things and thought we'd do it in the comments. The reason I decided (for myself) to post this is to raise awareness (what we don't talk about, we don't examine), and to show how people can get together by the millions and speak against something heinous. "Kony" for me is more a symbolic name for what this means (as I said in the blog). For every Foreign Affairs article stating how nebulous the facts are about Kony, there are others that assert that he is still doing his shit. And if not him, well then many others in the same vein. I'm sure when Hitler was laying siege there were probably a million "good" reasons to "let them figure it out". But if we stand up and say "no", of course we say "no" to what he is doing/has done and we will use that voice against others of this ilk. To sit back and say, well it's all useless, what do we know, the facts are muddled, is to take another excuse to, well, sit back (my view) and do nothing. Anyway, I am NOT sending this organization my money. I would rather (and do) support orgs that have much better track records. But I want to know -- and I want you to know -- Kony's name and what he does. And the brutal horrible legacy he and his ilk are leaving.

      Brianna left me this email last night and I think--especially since she's worked in Africa and does extensive research (way more than I ever have)--I will let her speak to this:
      Brianna: The controversial side is also important. While I don't agree with most of it- critics do raise some good ideas to consider. It is very hard to find an NGO that is without flaw. I think this is because many of the places in which work is being done, there is more than just one issue to be tackled. Such is the case with IC. They are using the military to find Kony. Is the Ugandan military corrupt? Probably. Is the Ugandan parliament corrupt? Yes. But that is not what IC is fighting. They're trying to stop Kony and If the military isn't going to be involved in finding Kony, who is?
      I don't think the Ugandan military is the greatest in the world, but they are making an effort to capture this man.

      Many critics questions where funding is going, and are faulting IC for not putting all money towards the efforts in Uganda. IC shows where their finances go online. They do donate a large chunk of funds to on the ground work but they also use it to make films and employ their staff. For me this seems reasonable, as they are an NGO which uses film to expose the truth. Also, people who work for NGO's need to get paid. Its a fact. They don't need to get paid lots, but people cannot work for free.

      I do not think anyone is ill-intentioned. Like I said, all development projects have flaws. Even with the best of intentions there will always be problems. Regardless of where people stand on the issue- I think its absolutely stunning that for the first time since I can remember- people have put Jersey Shore on pause, put the gossip magazines down, stopped using twitter to complain about the long line at the grocery store and started speaking out for our brothers and sisters across the ocean. Something about that documentary spoke volumes to millions of people, made people care.

      People need to consider both sides of the story and come to their own conclusions. But for me, I am so inspired by how many people have become inspired and aware. I hope this search for the truth from young people continues and that this is the start of something bigger and not just a phase.

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    2. Thank you very much, Barbara and Brianna!

      The most important thing is that everybody is talking about it, and people are aware that something terrible is going on.

      And I think that every nation uses some questionable methods to help and free other people/nations. It's not that I support that, but sometimes it can only work that way...

      I also thought that it's understandable that they need money to make films and pay their staff.

      I hope they succeed, and that maybe WE can succeed in many other projects, and make Earth a better place.

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    3. Thank you very much also from me, Barbara and Brianna! I agree with you that people need to consider the both sides of the story. What is important is to raise awareness. I am really surprised that this (campaign) hasn't been done sooner (using social media) in this scale. The opportunity has been there for few years already.

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  4. Awww Man...Brianna is really AWESOME...Barb tell her she is amazing !!!!
    and the best thing we can give anyone is LOVE anyway......so doesnt matter how much or if anyone donates or not....because theres no greater gift than LOVE and SUPPORT...and most importantly HOPE !!!! This is corny but IT WORKS !!!lol

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    1. I will tell her, Shalaka! And I do think that's the heartwarming part of all of this (because I also truly believe the filmmakers have the very best intentions at heart here, even if they are maybe inexperienced and naive) -- it's about love and support and hope. All of which we can grab onto here.

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    2. yeah...really !!! and also...GAVIN WAS SO FREAKIN CUTE..... did you see hid DIMPLE ???? that was the cutest thing ever !!!!

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  5. Charity Navigator gave them a very low rating. Most of their money goes to staff and the production of movies like the one you mention. I only support charities that actually give money to their cause not ones that raise money to pay themselves. Sorry.

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    1. Madge, just an fyi, I've addressed this in my response to Becki's comment (points up): I don't think the money is the important part of this message. It's about awareness. (that said, making films is a) expensive and b) effective). I'm not sending them money either, but I don't mind being apart of "one voice"!

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  6. I've passed this along my own lines now as well, hope it keeps on going. Amazing how a few voices on the other side of the world can have such exponential growth in todays world of social media.

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    1. Just an add in that what I'm supporting is the message that we should embrace the change to a global community and be aware of what is ongoing all over the world. That is the message I'm choosing to take from this, that we need to start talking and start being more aware of issues the world over. As for the charity side of this I am as a rule careful who I support and thouroughly research where funds travel to before making any monetary contributions and won't be supporting this group financailly but simply adding another voice.

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    2. That's what I think, too.

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  7. Thanks for all the positive feedback, and I really hope many people continue to spread this message. Remember that the above is just my opinion, and I encourage everyone to educate themselves on this issue and draw your own conclusions.

    Just an FYI though, Invisible Children released a statement in response to the critiques of the campaign. It can be found below and it is very insightful and educational. Take a look if your interested!

    One Love!

    http://www.invisiblechildren.com.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/critiques.html

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    1. Ohhh.....Brianna First off you ARE AWESOME....!!!its unbelievable !!!! Loved the link and just took a look at your blog...!!! The work you do Is really really amazing ! Loads of love to you....YOU ROCK...!!!
      And Happy Women's Day!!!xoxo

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    2. Thanks for finding and posting this link, Brianna. I think it is very helpful in explaining the discrepancies in the press these last couple of days.

      How immediate is this ongoing threat: this from the local paper, quoting UN refugee agency Human Rights Watch: "After a lull in violence in 2011, there has been a surge of attacks in early 2012. Since January, the group has killed at least 35 people, abducted 104 others and displaced more than 17,000 in Orientale province in northeastern Congo."

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    3. Thank you very much, Brianna!

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    4. Thanks so much, I really appreciate it! and Happy Women's Day to you too!

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  8. This kind of thing puts everything in perspective doesn't it? I have forwarded this to my son up at college and asked him to share it on his FB page as I'm going to do!

    Thank you Ladies!

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