Understanding the failed attempts to Discredit Invisible Children

Understanding the failed attempts to Discredit Invisible Children

            As “Kony 2012” has just about wrapped up its shattering of internet video records, we can look back at the video that inspired millions of dollars in donations and an overwhelming call to action from leading celebrities and politicians worldwide. We can also look back on the small and ignorant group of bloggers and vloggers that still think they’ve figured out some conspiracy- that Invisible Children is actually running a scam. The bat-shit crazy snippet of the far-left is claiming that just because the president is evangelical, the mission of Invisible Children is actually to convert Ugandans to Christianity. Meanwhile, the bat-shit crazy snippet of the far-right, notably Rush Limbaugh, has claimed that Invisible Children is an anti-Christian organization dedicated to stopping the in-fact Christian and humanitarian Lord’s Resistance Army. I’m not making this stuff up, folks. Amidst a firestorm of worldwide activism, there are plenty of loons trying to distract us. 

            As Rachel Maddow pointed out on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, “conspiracy is easier to understand than complexity.” There is reality and then there is the quick, scary, sensationalistic, attention-commanding garbage. People are more attracted, naturally, to the dramatic over the accurate.

            Let’s stick to the facts facts. Why not go for a responsible debate over Invisible Children’s budgeting or inability to expose the Ugandan government for using tactics many respectable critics have compared to the LRA? These criticisms are too often overshadowed by radical claims made to draw attention, the most popular for instance, that Invisible Children is acting on behalf of the Obama administration’s interest in obtaining Uganda’s oil- a claim that could not possibly be more not be more baseless or fabricated. 

            Many of those who have investigated Invisible Children’s budgeting have been surprised to learn not only that there is no NGO in Northern Uganda that has done more to employ and educated locals, but that well over 80% of the money donated to the organization goes to rehabilitating child soldiers, building schools and utilizing whatever tools necessary to prevent the abduction of children. The bulk of the remaining 20% goes towards raising awareness- the money that made “Kony 2012” such an Internet blockbuster.

            Invisible Children may not be a perfect organization, but ballooning the problems with “Kony 2012” serves to undermine a very forward thinking movement. Sure, the video appeals to white westerners by heavily including a cute and white little boy. But let’s not pretend we don’t live in a world where little white boys attract more attention and sympathy than struggling African children. Invisible Children’s goal is to disarm the fast-moving LRA and bring Joseph Kony to Justice. Whatever way works best for going about this goal, they will utilize. “Kony 2012” proves they are well aware of the best ways to get the western world to wake up to the crisis. The more power to them!

            The failed attempts to discredit “Kony 2012” may have hurt the message and derailed the narrative, but anyone interested in helping Invisible Children achieve it’s goal should not be discouraged. The Kony 2012 International Day of Action is still scheduled for April 20^th and the more support for it the better.

By using the “Kony 2012” slogan, Invisible Children is sending a clear message that instead of simply choosing to rally behind a presidential candidate in the year 2012, Americans should rally behind a message of peace and justice abroad. Instead of dedicating all of our political thought, analysis and energy on a popular American political figure that seeks to be the most powerful man in America, we should use at least some of our political drive to help Central Africa rid itself of a child-abducting war criminal. Instead of simply choosing between a Wall Street sell-out like Barack Obama or a Wall Street insider like Mitt Romney, Americans should choose to rally around Invisible Children. Trust me, it will be a hell of a lot more rewarding.