For those of you sleeping under an internet rock these last few days, my facebook feed has erupted with this new Kony 2012 video (if you haven’t seen it, you can link to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc). If you watch the relatively short (29 minutes) video, the images and argument created seems pretty irrefutable. In the video, Invisible Children argues that individuals need to take up the burden of Uganda to see the arrest and trial of one single man. The man Invisible Children (IC) wants to make infamous is Joseph Kony, the leader of the LRA. Kony is responsible for the recruitment of child soldiers and child sex slaves, both of which any thinking person would take issue with. The argument is made pretty easily and quite persuasively, but the facts need further inspection.
On the surface, the argument seems irrefutable. I am undeniably in favour of social justice. I have been for a very very long time. And I think few would deny Kony needs to be stopped, however, understanding what organizations actually stand for and against is imperative in understanding international issues. Doing research about what organizations actually support is as important as understanding what they don’t support. First, IC is a non-profit organization. As such, their budget-records are public documents available for all to see. They financially support the Ugandan army. While I can’t deny the atrocities committed by the LRA, the Ugandan army has also been accused of numerous human rights violations. Demonizing one human rights violator only to fund another one is problematic. I expected their funding to go predominantly to organizations that rehabilitate child soldiers. It doesn’t. It funds the army and movies to raise awareness. Again, I can understand the importance of awareness, it can mobilize otherwise disinterested governments against threats. But in this case, with Kony moving around Africa (and primarily out of Uganda), I wonder how effective the campaign is, particularly if Uganda is encouraged to track a man no longer within their political bounds. This could be very problematic in the long run.
Second, the collateral damage of an international military intervention could be catastrophic. Undeniably bad guys need to be stopped… but at what cost? Even if Kony is arrested, what does that mean for all of the child soldiers? Governments won’t pay to rehabilitate them. How many disgusted activists will put their dollars to work and actually fund children effected? I am concerned at the loss of life that will be associated with military intervention. Equally concerning is the loss of life and future of the increasing number of child soldiers and sex slaves abducted for the campaign.
Admittedly the thinking person in me is torn when it comes to Kony 2012. I get that stopping evil men can stop a pattern of pain, however, my objections are enough to give me pause.
These issues are far from simple.
Committing Sociology 