What to take from "Kony 2012"?

If you haven't seen this 30-minute documentary that "has become the most viral video in history," you can watch it below or at kony2012.com.


KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

I have had a range of emotions regarding this video and the media frenzy that ensued. It began with anger and sadness as I was reminded of the horrors faced by kids in Uganda; then morphed into inspiration and empowerment to do something; and ended with confusion and frustration over the controversies sparked. After dwelling on it for the past week, and reading two specific articles today, these are my biggest take-aways:


1.) "Maybe we should evaluate the integrity of the Kony 2012 video by its ability to inspire…"

That's from a great article by Tali Hairston, director of the John M. Perkins Center for Reconciliation at SPU. He says that yes, the video is oversimplifying an enormous problem, and yes, the video may contribute to a recent phenomenon called Slacktivism ("The act of participating in obviously pointless activities as an expedient alternative to actually expending effort to fix a problem." Definition care of Urban Dictionary), but he also encourages us to respond to the video in a bigger way by building partnerships in Uganda, organizing prayer teams, or connecting with Central African communities in our own neighborhoods. "At the very least," he says, "it should challenge us to do more than just send money."

2.)  "'It's not as exciting as a bad guy, but extreme poverty is killing so many children before their fifth birthday,' says [World Vision's Rachel] Wolff."

In this article, Linda Thomas of 97.3 Kiro FM states that "there is an even bigger daily threat to the children of Uganda than Kony." That threat is the mosquito, as malaria continues to be one of the biggest killers of children in Africa, along with HIV, AIDS, and extreme poverty. World Vision has been operating in Uganda for more than 20 years, so maybe it makes more sense for some of us to support a program like this — one that has established relationships with the people of Uganda and thorough knowledge of the area and its complexities.


So much arguing has been generated over this video. If the video bothers you, I hope you don't let it discourage yourself or others from caring. If it inspires you to do something in Uganda, I would second Tali when he says, "Be aware, and be a giver. But also be educated." And if it inspires you to support one of the other gajillion issues humans are facing right next door and throughout the world, then awesome. To me, that is the blessing in the power of social media.