Now, this Invisible Children "Stop Kony" talk is all well and good. Yes, they have raised awareness, which is a step in the right direction. But lets think critically.
1. We should be supporting the grass-root, local initiatives already IN Uganda, rather (or perhaps as well as) an american, middle class, top-down organisation, which supports DIRECT MILITARY INTERVENTION from the US Government.
Try these for size:
2. Invisible Children paint a simplistic portrait of the Ugandan conflict. It's not just Kony who is the "baddie". All the powerful members of the LRA, and also Museveni - who has been president for 25 years and still failed to combat this issue - need to be scrutinized by the public.
3. Invisible Children turn over millions and only direct around 30% to the cause. The rest? Snazzy adverts, massive black vans and cool merchandise.
4. At 8.55, watch the jokers behind the charity blow up some termite mines and kill some snakes in Sudan 'cos they're bored ("no war = not interesting") http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOJPRLXcDMI&noredirect=1
5. Overall, this self proclaimed "rescue" smells suspiciously like another Make Poverty History. A hip, yet painfully-paternalistic-americans-and celebs-storming-in-all-guns blazing trend. I give it a month at most.
6. See the following blog, VISIBLE CHILDREN- an excellent, critical take on the STOP KONY mania gripping the social media world, March 2012 - for more details.
And don't forget to look at the above mentioned charities.
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