Everyone was immediately sucked in by the touching, heartfelt video. Especially the teenagers. Myself, as a teen, understand how our minds work, even if we don't realize it. A large amount of us seem to assume that if some "cause" has a 30 minute long, heartfelt video with cool effects, it must be legit! Right? Wrong!
In just a little over a week the Kony video on Youtube [ video ] got over 80 million views! The facebook group alone has 3.1 million fans. Do you understand the impact that one video can have with 80 million viewers? A sentence in their own 'Company Overview' has frightening implications; "We use the power of media to inspire young people..." [ quote source ]
I've really spent a lot of time looking into this whole Invisible Children thing. The lack of information about them on the internet is certainly something to consider.
The Invisible Children are a non-profit group, but they do accept donations. I can't find a reliable statistic about the [non?] profit they bring in, but the few that I've seen are certainly eye-brow raising. I do know that several of my own acquaintances have donated to the cause. There is absolutely no information anywhere online about what The Invisible Children plan to do with the money they receive. Ironically, much of the important information that any Non-Profit group should provide, is invisible.
I can't see that their group makes any sense. Their mission statement says; "Invisible Children uses film, creativity and social action to end the use of child soldiers in Joseph Kony's rebel war and restore LRA-affected communities in Central Africa to peace and prosperity." [ source ]
They are supposedly using their video to end the LRA [Lords Resistance Army], and are asking for donations, yet they show no proof of donating to anyone! They just want to make more videos to 'inspire young people'.
This evening I learned a little bit about the founder Jason Russel. He is a 33 year movie director, and there seems to be absolutely no information about his past on the internet. In fact, the only thing I can find about him is a 'twitter trending' news report that on March 15th 2012 [this past Thursday] he was found roaming the streets of San Deigo. I wish I could say he was only roaming, but he was nearly nude, engaging in sexual activities and vandalizing cars! [ source ] A CEO at Invisible Children, Ben Keesy, said that he was suffering from 'Exhaustion, dehydration and malnutrition.' [ source ]. He is still hospitalized as of today.
Am I the only one who thinks it's funny that this occurred exactly 10 days after the release of the Kony '12 video? Am I the only one who wonders why millions of people are involved in the movement of an apparently unstable movie director?
Do you recall the little sayings that your Mother used to quote? Don't take candy from strangers and don't believe everything you hear.
What do you think? Kony or Phony?
Excellent post. Before getting involved in ANY group, movement, etc, it is important to check it out! Don't be drawn in by slick videos,photos,or pleas. Do the research, then decide whether or not an organization or cause is worth your time or money.
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