Since Monday, March 5, the film KONY 2012 has gone viral on the Internet with, as of this writing, more than 64 MILLION views. Also promoted under the name "Visible Children,” the film depicts the atrocities committed by Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) over the last 30 years, mostly in Uganda, and urges viewers around the world to push their governments to find this man and bring him to justice.
The exploits of the LRA were documented in a film called Invisible Children, produced by the same people and shown to thousands of high school kids around the world. The film generated millions of dollars in donations.
But the LRA was put out of business in Uganda in 2006. And the film is still being shown.
In my opinion, this film – KONY 2012 – is the sequel, the next attempt to exploit young and naïve people to join a cause that needs no joining. The premise is that by making Kony famous and taking to the streets, somehow the UN will step up efforts to capture Kony and bring him before the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The film producers claim that their efforts are responsible for the U.S. sending 100 special forces troops to Uganda to help in the capture of Kony.
First, let me say the film is brilliantly done. And the producers’ ability to promote their product/cause is just possibly the most astounding and inspiring piece of work this old promoter has ever seen in his lifetime.
But here’s the problem with this thing: The premise of “the movement” is that if you get enough people yelling in the streets, the problem will be solved by somebody. If that worked, why wouldn't we have millions in the streets yelling for world peace?
But wait, there’s more. The producer keeps saying Uganda, Uganda, Uganda when referring to Kony. Kony hasn’t been in Uganda since 2006. If you access the producer’s Kony-Finder, you see the rebel has operated throughout central Africa in at least four countries. HE ISN’T IN UGANDA! When pushed by an NBC interviewer today, he admitted Kony is believed to have less than 200 followers. “Soldiers…” he corrected. “And that’s 200 abducted children…” he added. Last reports were Kony is living like an animal in the jungle with 200 ragged followers. THEY ARE BARELY SURVIVING… NOT ABDUCTING CHILDREN. And finally, it has been reported only 32% of the NINE MILLION DOLLARS collected so far on this project goes to help Kony’s victims. The producer says, “Oh, we have a different model of charity… it’s message, movie, mobilization.” What the heck is that? IT’S NOT A CHARITY.
This whole thing sounds like the perpetrator is on an adrenaline high funding a movement just to make noise and, well, line his pockets. As long as Kony isn’t caught, the movement continues to stir the hearts of young people and naïve celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey and Justin Bieber and generate donations. And if Kony is caught? I wouldn’t be surprised if the film goes on for years.
Maybe you are stirred by the message. I think it’s a brilliant, brilliant scam.
