Critical Flaws in the KONY Campaign

By Arienne Calingo

The Kony 2012 campaign is highly questionable. Instead of encouraging its supporters to learn more about the history of Uganda and its political conflicts, Invisible Children has essentially advocated posting Kony 2012 flyers. Are plastering posters everywhere and buying Action Kits really effective approaches to stopping violence?

I remember how "Kony-fied" my Facebook News Feed appeared the day that Invisible Children released its 30-minute Kony 2012 film last month. As I scrolled down, multiple links to the YouTube video and hashtags like "#StopKony" and "#April20" sprinkled my screen. The film itself has been dubbed the "most successful viral video of all time."

The effects are incredible, as with the film's overall inspiring effect on its viewers. My best friends bought the Kony 2012 Action Kit within less than a minute after the film ended. A girl who supports the cause asked me where Uganda is located and then stated that she had bought the kit before knowing. The campaign has inspired a wide range of individuals. Over 10 ardent supporters invited me to different "Cover the Night" events, all set for April 20.

Don't expect me to participate in a single one, though. I strongly question Invisible Children's work, approach and strategy.

I admire the organization's heavy use of social media to drum up public support, as well as its persistence in capturing the attention and action of the Obama administration and Congress to commit to arrest Kony. However, I do not consider Invisible Children to be nearly as effective and established as charities like Doctors Without Borders, Water.org and AMREF USA, which all conduct projects in Uganda.

Invisible Children has a rating of only two stars for accountability and transparency from Charity Navigator and the other three charities were all given the best possible rating, four stars. Furthermore, Invisible Children devoted only 32 percent of its funds to direct aid to Africa, whereas the remainder was used for the marketing, filmmaking, travel expenses and payment of board and staff members. On the other hand, Doctors Without Borders uses 89 percent to program services.

Co-founder Jason Russell alone makes me question the organization. Would you really support and trust a so-called leader who was arrested for public masturbation and inebriation?

The approach that Russell takes in his Kony 2012 film is upsetting and frustrating with its revival of the "white savior." Russell portrays himself as a sort of messianic figure who "will do anything to stop (Kony)."

Russell implies that the Ugandans are victims that lack the capacity, will and rationale to save themselves. He insinuates that they are helpless being who must be saved and civilized. The patronizing use of subtitles for Jacob - one of the boys who was a child solder - who clearly knows how to speak English and is understandable, also suggests a certain "foreign" or "Other" quality.

If Invisible Children does genuinely believe in the equal role between Americans and Africans, then where are the African leaders represented within Invisible Children's board and staff? How can an organization dedicated to supporting and representing Uganda not have Ugandans in leadership? While Jacob may be considered a leader within Invisible Children, the organization should include more Ugandans who would be able to provide a meaningful voice and strategic approaches to the issue. 

Arienne Calingo is a sophomore religious studies major.