Kony 2012: My research

I’ve been doing a lot of research on this Kony 2012 thing. A little disclaimer before I begin… This post is NOT about whether or not what is happening in Uganda is right or wrong. This post is NOT about whether or not the US should do something to help. This post is about the purpose of the video and nothing more. Please do not attack me or reply with your stand on the issue. I am not taking a stand with this post.

So moving on...

As I watched the video I couldn't help but realize the manner in which the film was edited and produced. The process is often referred to as "emotional porn". The touching moments where the child web chatted with her grandparents, the birth of the guy's son, the happy moments with his son; all of those things had absolutely nothing to do with what the video was really about. Or did they? The purpose of these scenes was to elicit an emotional response from the viewer. To get the viewer to identify personally and emotionally with the people who feel passionately about this issue. Thus making the viewer feel that the way these people feel is right. Okay, so that's not necessarily a bad thing. If people feel passionately about the issue they will be more inclined to help. Great…right? If you’re helping the right people…then yes.

However, I cannot seem to find any solidified proof that donations will truly go toward helping these “invisible children”. The manner in which the video was made makes me nervous. The level at which it attacks the human psyche suggests desperation; an appropriate emotion given this situation. Or it could suggest manipulation. After intensive research I have yet to find any reputable charitable organization that backs up this organization Invisible Children Incorporated. Charity Navigator gives this organization a low two star rating for accountability (Charity Navigator, 2012). You can look at the data here, http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=12429. Be sure to look at the revenue to expenses comparison in recent years.

When you click on the links below the video to help the first thing you see is a place to send donations. The only information I could find about where the money is going was provided by Invisible Children, Incorporated. Financial records have indicated that approximately 32% actually goes directly towards their cause. So where is the rest going? We are not sure yet if this video and organization are reputable.

This video also claims that it serves the purpose of increasing awareness so that the US Government will become involved and help. The US government has sent 100 special operations forces commandos to help train the Ugandan Defense Forces who are hunting down Kony and the LRA (Baldauf, 2012). Special operations forces are the best of the best. This is the best we have to offer. The United States government is fully aware of the situation with the LRA and has already taken extraordinary measures to aid the victims. In fact, in 2008, USAID support for northern Uganda totaled an estimated $138 million (USAID, 2012). Funny, the viral video didn’t mention that.

Based on my research, I’ve come to the conclusion that this video is most likely an exploitation of a very terrible situation for personal financial gain.   Please feel free to do your own research as well.  I've listed my references below. 

Baldauf, S. (2012, March 7). Lord's resistance army: After long silence, the us-tracked rebels attack. Retrieved from http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Keep-Calm/2012/0307/Lord-s-Resistance-Army-After-long-silence-the-US-tracked-rebels-attack

Charity Navigator. (2012). Invisible children. Retrieved from http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=12429

Garcia, L. (2012, March 8). Kony 2012: scam. Retrieved from http://www.coscampusonline.com/2012/03/08/kony-2012-scam/
On kony 2012. (2012, March 7). Retrieved from http://thedailywh.at/?s=Invisible Children, Inc.

USAID. (2012, January 9). Uganda overview. Retrieved from http://www.usaid.gov/locations/sub-saharan_africa/countries/uganda/