I have to say that when I left class monday night, I was surprised by the comments I heard from a few of my classmates, surrounding the Kony 12 campaign. Actually, it was less about the campaign and more about the attitude that it is “already something everyone knows about, so what’s the big deal”, and,”I can’t do anything about it”, and “how can a bunch of teens make a difference”. Again, these attitudes were not shared by everyone (and my intention is not to offend anyone), but it disappointed me that educators that may one day teach my children, feel this way about such a serious world issue, one that impacts so many children and families. We are entering a profession where we will shape the next generation – do we want to raise complacency and cynicism, or do we want to create empathetic, empowered students who make a difference in the world? Whether they choose to work in a soup kitchen or they want to get involved with a more global cause, isn’t the idea to just inspire them to DO something? I don’t say this to offend anyone, I just think we should take a good look inside ourselves and think about what messages we send on to others, especially children. So, I got home monday and did some homework because I wanted to know more about Kony: I watched the entire Kony 12 video and all of the links Alec had posted surrounding its controversy. I think that the Kony 12 campaign is packaged in such way that it appeals to the masses, but it has simplified a very complex issue. While it has drawn an awareness to an issue that deserves the up-most attention, we should be critical of their use of donations, their plan to fight Kony’s army (which will lead to more children being killed), and how the voice of the Ugandan people is not heard. However, at the end of the day, the film maker has put the spotlight on an issue that has long gone ignored by the rest of the world and maybe something positive will come out of the fact that so many people are more aware of what is going on in their global community. The film maker marketed and sensationalized this problem, made it viral, and created a huge degree of backlash and controversy, which in our desensitized world , seems to be the only way we sometimes stand up and take notice. If Kony 12 has done anything else, it has put our eyes on Uganda and Africa as a whole, and the problems that it faces. Here is a link to some of the voices in Uganda. Please feel free to share any of your thoughts with me on this issue.
I have something to say…
March 14, 2012 by pviher
I agree with you 100%
Regardless of whether these future educators support Kony or not, we can not ignore the fact that it is our job to inspire the next generation. I challenge critics to propose another way that we might be able to bring light to this issue. It is easy to sit back and judge, but what have you done to make a difference in the world? In the classroom, my philosophy is to “think globally, act locally.” Kony 2012, paired with some service education could give students a meaningful and relevant experience.
Thanks Allie, I appreciate your positive comments and I like your philosophy of thinking globally and acting locally. I hope to bring something similar into my classroom of the future.
This is the truth about why I do not support Kony 2012: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/kony-2012-disappoints-ugandan-audience-public-screening-lira-article-1.1039291
This man does exist, but the filmmaker portrays the Ugandan people as powerless when in fact, Kony is already being dealt with in Uganda. This awareness company is feeding off of people’s ignorance on an issue that has been around for a long time and is already being dealt with. Only 37% of donations actually do to Africa. ALso watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFhIRetKkrk Because of this so called good thing, the US is going into Uganda. Why? Oil.
Thanks for sharing those links. I had seen the one about the Ugandan people who had just watched the film, but I had not seen the youtube re. the oil. I can’t say that surprises me, with the U.S. track record. I too, do not support the Kony campaign, but I still think it has created a forum of awareness. The fact that you and I are talking about it right now is proof of that.
Thanks for posting this Paula. A classmate and I were expressing the exact same concern after class. If a person chooses to do nothing, than that is absolutely acceptable, but to say that we CAN’T have any impact is unacceptable. Not only have I seen too many examples of children changing the world in REAL ways (Little Red Wagon by a boy at the age of eight- http://www.littleredwagonfoundation.com/home.html; Ladybug Foundation by a girl at the age of eight- http://www.ladybugfoundation.ca/), but I want my students to always believe there is always SOMETHING that they can do– never to settle for NOTHING!
Yes! Thanks Alyshia, for your comments and for two wonderful examples of how kids can truly make a difference.
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