Some time over the weekend after watching the Kony 2012 video in class and on your on if need be (video can be found on youtube, search kony 2012 video), go to the following website:
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/ and in the top right corner in the search box, type "white man's burden and click go. The search engine will bring up the article "African critics of Kony Campaign See a 'White Man's Burden' for the...(it will be the first article to come up!) click on it and read the article, the comments and watch the video even. After viewing and reading, I'd like you to answer the following questions:
1. Why do you think Jason Russell made the video? What impact has it had?
2.What criticisms of the video have emerged? What do you make of these criticisms?
3. Where do you draw the line between 'helpful activism' and this notion of westerners being the savior all incapable foreigners?
4. What are the potential pros and cons of “distilling a very complicated 26-year war into something that’s consumable and understandable”?
5. Can you make one comparison between what is happening with 'Kony 2012' currently in our culture and what Chinua Achebe was discussing in TFA from what you've read so far?
1) Jason Russell most likely made this video to promote awareness to the millions of people who didn't necessarily know all of the details as to the ongoing 26 year war in uganda and child trafficking and soldiers. The impact it has had on those who have seen it is a bit controversial. It has inspired millions to want to do something to help, but then it has allowed others to campaign against it. It's almost like you watch one 30 minute video and become a social activist, not saying that its a bad thing, because thats usually what inspires involvement in programs like invisible children, but to those who are against the campaign its just fuel to their fire that the people who are just now joining the cause think its only because they feel bad for the children.
ReplyDelete2) As stated previously there are many criticisms that have emerged since the video went viral. Attacks on the invisible children company itself, saying that it wasn't a true non-profit organization, many made it a goal to prove that the company was in fact wasting spendings and that the US does not have the resources nor the ability to send troops in to a new country. Some groups are opposed to this because the US is still involved in another foreign conflict that was started over 10 years ago with the middle eastern countries so why would we send tops that are just getting home to go help a new country that we have no conflict with.
3) I see this cause-the invisible children- as "helpful activism" because they're not necessarily making it sound like its just the US's moral duty to get involved, that we are the only country to be the salvations and saviors for the ugandan people, rather its a way of spreading awareness to people through positive messaging. I think the video though maybe pushes the line, the company should have taken a different approach to it, yes we feel sympathetic for the Ugandan children and people, but the techniques and ways of approaching this touchy subject made it sound like the people were helpless, that we are the only chance of ending the madness and cruelty of Kony and the LRA.
4) The pros is that it actually opens the eyes to people who might not have known about this subject before. It brings awareness to the people so they at least know, and from there its up to them whether they choose to find a way to get involved and be a part of the solution or whether they choose to just know about it, and leave it at that. The Cons is that some people blow it out of proportion, like its the worst thing to happen in the world ever, when in actuality its been going on for 26 years. Some people look at it as they're trying to help when in actuality its their sympathetic attitude that makes them think that because we are a superior nation to third world countries and we have the only resources to solve this problem so we have to take matters into our own hands because 26 years is to long and were the only ones that could solve it.
5) Both things are trying to demonstrate examples of harmonious relations between civilizations. The cony video is trying to prove that the US is willing to step in and help to provide peace for the Ugandan people, to help them in their time of need. In the book, we are introduced immediately to the complex laws and customs of Okonkwo’s clan and its commitment to harmonious relations. For example, the practice of sharing palm-wine and kola nuts is repeated throughout the book to emphasize the peacefulness of the Igbo. Both things are trying to promote peace for nations and countries
1. Jason Russell made the video to spread the word about what is going on in Uganda because people become so wrapped up in their own business that they aren't aware of other people's more serious problems. People want to find a way to become a hero, and they can feel this way by helping these people out.
ReplyDelete2. One criticism that is addressed is the fact that the video simplifies what these people are going through. I agree with this because, though it would be very graphic, people need to have a better understanding of what these people are going through. Another criticism made is how we are wrong in trying to stop one guy, Joseph Kony, when there are other people being influenced by Kony to kill. They have done wrong as well.
3. I feel like there is a thin line between being helpful activists and being the savior of incapable foreigners. Because we have more abundant resources in the United States, we feel more inclined to help others. If we were to sit back and watch, we may feel guilty. I'm not saying this is always the case, but for some people, especially political figures, helping them out would make them seem more humble.
4. The pros of distilling this war into something consumable and understandable include more sympathy and help. People who sympathize and think this is a worthy cause will be more likely to put their 2 cents into it. One con would be that in order for people to understand it, it would most likely have to be simplified.
5. Kony 2012 is just being more widely addressed, when it has been going on for years without much help. In TFA, people have a difficult time getting their identity known. When issues are not addressed, people are less likely to empathize with others and help. This leaves people in a less peaceful situation.
1) I think he made this video to tell people what is happening in his place and how we should get together to change things and fix it as a nation. This video went viral very fast and teens and the "hip' population seemed to help the spread to get it known.
ReplyDelete2)As westerners we have always tried to colonize ourselves in places like that to spread our free nation lifestyle into other places. This is good in some cases but in others we end up embarrassing ourselves but people don't seem to look back on those mission trips once we leave to let them take over. The book three cups of tea is a perfect example of this where the author made this humanitarian effort to educate student in a third world country but he went up and built these schools and gave jobs to the people and he left. Then once american new stations went they found out these building were not staffed and he took a large amount of the money for himself.
3) I think my main problem with this effort is that he has put all this money into an international problem and isn't reaching out into other countries pockets too. I feel like this is a peace corps effort or should be taken up by someone else to do because even though the things this man is doing is inhumane and terrible we have never had any relation to him and this will end up being another Vietnam effort in which we will end up loosing.
5)Both things are efforts to improve life of others but since we havent reached the outcome of the kony movement we dont know if it will have the same ending as TFA.
1. He made it to try and help people get free from Kony. It has made a lot people feel like they can actually make a difference.
ReplyDelete2. That it is back to the days of colonialism, and white man's burden. I think they are well founded, the video focuses too much on the 'saviors', and not the people who are being saved.
3. This is pretty much right on the border. They need to make the video focus more on the victims, rather than the heros they make themselves to be.
4. If it is distilled into a simpler essence, it much easier for it to spread, and for lots of people to hear about it; But it might also lead to ignorance on the finer points. I know nothing about Kony other than what is said on the video, that leaves a lot of room for me to make errors.
5. While we have not yet read this in the book, I cannot help to make the comparision between the missionarys and the makers of the Kony video. They may think that they are helping, but are they really?
1. I think that Jason Russell made the Kony 2012 video mainly to make people aware of him, even if they don’t end up donating or take such extreme actions like him. He just wants Kony’s name to be known and for everyone to understand what’s happening over there. He has obviously put a lot of his own time into everything and it seems like he is looking for attention and appreciation for himself as well. The video has a lot of views and is pretty well known now but it will be hard to see what kind of impact it has had until later. When everyone is supposed to “cover the streets” with Kony’s face and things like that, it will be a good representation of the impact it’s had on the population.
ReplyDelete2. It seems like people here are more supporting of it because we see ourselves as the group that goes out and helps (interferes) or takes care of other country’s problems. And the flip side is the people in Africa making videos and articles like the one we had to watch for this. They say that Americans are basically playing out “the white man’s burden”, and we feel like it’s our duty to go and “fix the problem”. The woman that I saw said that she wants people to think that her and her government can support themselves and not need other people to try taking control of the situation. I personally feel that we should let them try and solve their own problems, see how that goes, and then if they ask for support or if it gets way too out of hand, we (and hopefully other countries as well) can be there for them.
3. This kind of goes hand in hand with the second question, people in different places/situations have very different opinions about this, but I don’t really know where I stand. Like I said in the last question, I feel that if a country asks for our help we should be there for them and hopefully have them help us later or something, but if they really don’t want us there, that’s how it should be. We can leave it up to them but if it gets worse or to the point of threatening people outside of that then we should take action no matter what they say. Not always butting in because then we do get the reputation of being the “savior of all incapable foreigners”, but having other places know that we are there to help if they need it.
4. This really is what is happening in the video, but I still think if it gets people aware of him (the main goal of the video), they can go find more in-depth information about it on their own. Again, I think people here like that the story is getting out, but people in Africa don’t like that it’s being summed up in a 30 minute YouTube video. You still get a lot of information out of it, but it’s very opinionated and one sided, he only focuses on the things he wants people to know basically, not giving the complete backstory. The main pro is that people now know about him or will probably find out pretty soon, definitely on April 20th if that all works out. The main con is that there are 26 years put into this war and we’re really only hearing about the last 10 at most.
5. I know that the whole “white man’s burden” thing is going to be in the book at some point, we just haven’t gotten there yet, but that’s probably the biggest thing that relates to Kony 2012. A group feeling that they are over everyone else and are obligated to take care of them since they can’t do anything themselves. There are probably many other loosely related things, but I can’t think of anything that’s more prominent. I guess the only other relation would be the extreme difference in cultures, like America to Uganda, and the two tribes in Things Fall Apart to whoever the missionaries are going to be.
1.) I think that Jason Russell made the video about Kony so that people can be aware of what is happening to the children in Africa who are being abducted by Kony and turning them into soldiers. I think it made a big impacted because people are now aware of what is happening and they are supporting the Kony campaign so that he can be stopped.
ReplyDelete2.) Some criticisms that emerged were that invisible children were not showing what really is happening in Africa and that the Kony thing is not true. I don’t believe these because I think this is actually happening in African.
3.) I think that it is good that the United States is helping the foreigners because they have more resources and they are more capable of helping the 3rd world countries.
4.) I think that some pros would be that they will help the people from Africa live without fear.
5.) One connection between the kony 2012 campaign and TFA is that they are both taking place in Africa and it shows how they are still trying to improve there life.
1. For beauty of mankind maybe? actually, I would do simiral thing if I went to somewhere like a hell, and little kids talk about being dead is better than stay alive for tomorrow. You know, that was insane. Even If you have no blood no tear no humanity at all, you would feel really uncomfortable at that part. I guess Jason Russell made this video because, 9hours news casting doesn't really care about Uganda and what happen. of course lot of people who watching Tv and never go outside of box, indeed they never know. he tried to mentioned there's some horrible things are going on over there.
ReplyDelete2. No harm done, no offence just take my mean. what Jason doing is pretty cool, but I don't think nation would move for simple humanity. middle eastern have oil, yeah, some other area have some other resource yeah, and I don't know waht Uganda have that make to change the mind of high social people of U.S. We can be a nice person as a individual, but leader of the nation can't be just being nice and be there for justice. it's all about the money. If Uganda have lot of oils in their basement, for the god sake, news would tried to mention them for a decades, and we're gonna decide to show who is the boss and sent the troops maybe.
about the critisicm, some people don't think it's good way to solve problem (send army and arrest Kony) perhaps we can come up with more practical or better solution. however, the maintain problem can be overall structure of Uganda. who knows if we see 2nd or 3rd Kony in Uganda after he died? first thing we need is understand of their culture, and get Kony, and support them for prevent another Kony.
3. U.S intervention is ok as long as people feel happy. culture is important, but assume they're not happy with their own culture, they can accept new things.
but I worried, there's too much people think the only way to reach the ultimate happiness is eating hamburger and go to church and pray for jesus then go back to home and watch TV. silly.
4. Oh god, they've been in that kind of situation about 26years? how didn't I know that? that's abomination of mankind! I will help them right now- would be one.
othersied of people doubt first for all the detail, because we only know part of the problem. Are they messed up because of us? or not? I'm not gonna help you. I didn't do anything bad or good for you...that would be cons side.
5. both of story take place in Africa, however, Kony2012 trying to make us get involved and telling a reason why we need to help them. white men's burden is harder, but I guess that was preety common in that periods of aspect. funny thing is, they say same thing. let's go there and solve their troubles.
TFA is simiral story about foreign's intervention. only one differentness, it's on the perspective of person who living in Nigeria.
1. I think in our 'modern' time people want to feel like they can make a difference in society. Some may even think it is a moral obligation to help others in need, seen as we are all 'humans'. Why did Jason make the video? I think he did it to raise awareness on the atrocities that are occurring in our 'modern' society. Why did he make his message in video form? Because it is currently one of the more popular media outlets that our society uses, especially YouTube. What impact has it mad? Currently on YouTube the video has 82,282,426 views and is still on the homepage. According to the statistics on the video, almost all countries have had some amount of views.
ReplyDelete2. One of the obvious criticisms is the idea of "white man's burden", which in this I disagree with. I say this because it isn't just about the white man's obligation to fix other people's problems, its the fact that all of us live on this Earth, and it would be (is) disgusting for a small amount of people to live jolly lives with all luxuries given to them while a large amount of people are put on the 'way side', having to live in fear of their lives and not knowing if they will have food or shelter. If we really want to make a better society, we must first bring every individual to equal rank. Another criticism is that Jason failed to capture the complexity of the war and African culture. All I have to say is that there are humans dying, if the African nations don't want us to help their people, then it is their own pride that is getting in the way. When it comes down to it, if you were to ask any victim of the wars, they would say they would have preferred help over death.
My own criticism is that the woman from the video is doing the exact thing that she is criticizing, trying to speak for the all the Ugandan and African nations, thinking that she knows what all Ugandans and Africans believe.
3. Where do I draw the line? It comes down to whether the 'western' country is taking whole responsibility, or is working withe country in which the problem exists. Another distinction is whether the western country is attempting to spread their religious or political views, if all they are doing is helping in way of resources, then that is humanitarian activism; if they are pushing their views, then that is western country trying to be saviors.
4. If I try to sum the United States' culture into two sentences, I would undoubtedly would only be able to bring out a few things (unless it is a run-on sentence). We would fail to find out certain elements that might be important. In the same way, by trying to describe a problem in Uganda with a 30 minute video, Jason does fail to bring out the more complex elements and variables that are taking place in Uganda and Africa. It almost is as if Jason is attempting to make Kony a scapegoat, which even though Kony has committed many atrocities, would not bring to light all the people involved in the problem. The pro is that it allows a large group of people in a short amount of time become aware of an issue; those people should do more research afterward to learn the complexities of the problem.
5. As the lady in the second video brought out, the westerners are failing to see the culture of the African nations including Uganda, which can be compared to how the White man assumes in TFA that the Africans are subhumans, barbarians, that don't know how to live or control their own lives. This notion is immediately bomb-shelled by Achebe when he shows us the complexity of Okonkwo's tribe, as well as their interactions with other tribes. Another comparison, i suppose, is how Kony is taking children for his army, like the White man took Africans for labor.
Drew Davis
ReplyDelete1. I think that Jason Russell made the video to show us as people of planet earth that there are things going on around us that we are not aware of and we are just letting it happen. He wants to make a difference as a country and raise awareness and stop Joseph Kony. When making this video it has impacted us as a society to help out these innocent kids and bring justice to their. When getting all these views on this video he has shown the world who this guy is and is making a difference by forcing the U.S to get involved. Donating is a big deal for the people because when they donate they feel like they are making a difference.
2. There are some critizisems saying that they are not a true non profit organization and they don't use the money the way its supposed to be used. Also that we are using the "white mans burden" to play a role, but we as a country feel the need to help out and stop this because no one else will, but they think that they can figure it out themselves as a country but in truth eyes they cannot.
3. I feel like it can go both ways but in my opinion if no one from another country wants the U.S to help them out by taking down a guy like this then i would say let them fight their own battle and see what happens. But if we did this and it got so bad that the bad guys were starting to involve the U.S then thats were we draw the line and take action as a country. But as a country we have so many resources that are useful to other countries that as a person some where else I wouldn't say don't get involved because i would want help from them.
4. Some pros of a distilling the war is that a lot more people would know about it and would get the general idea but some of the key points would be missing. Also that people would understand it more and probably would want to learn more about it and get involved. The cons are that you can't really make a 26 year war understandable because there are so many things that people won't know about or get if you shrink it down and there are so many things that are happening in the war that it is hard to grasp how bad it gets for these people.
5. One connection between Kony 2012 and TFA is that they both involve people in Africa that are trying to live and improve their lives. Also that there is peace going on through both subjects, for example people from the U.S are trying to make Africa a safe place and make it peaceful for everyone to live and in the book the people in the tribe are very peaceful and generous to each other and provide gifts and treats for others to show they care about them.
Heather Roshak
ReplyDelete1. Jason Russell created the Kony 2012 video to help spread awareness about the horrible events in Uganda caused by Joseph Kony and to help his friend Jacob, who is the reason he became so involved. I think the video has made a huge impact on our country. The video was posted 13 days ago and has 82,731,335 views currently. Most of the people in our country have a large desire to help others, especially the less fortunate. When we hear about things as insane as children being forced to kill their parents and join an army, we want to get involved and try to help in any way we can.
2. They did not go into everything that is going on, but if you want it to become something that everyone is talking about, even children, then you really can't get into all the details. Even when he told his son, he did not tell him everything that he did in the video. I also think there are the people in our country who believe we get involved in anything we can just to boost our own ego when we succeed, but if what I have heard is true, then the Ugandan government has asked for us to get involved and help them because they greatly need all the help and support they can get.
3. I think it is right on the line because their cause is great, but I feel that the video was more about Jason Russell's involvement and how he is the big hero with all his little sidekicks who are behind the scenes.
4. A pro is that it brings awareness to people who had no clue anything like this was going on in Uganda. I knew nothing about it besides what people told me about it from the video before I saw it. A con is that now Kony knows we're onto him and things are only going to get harder, plus we have a deadline. If we don't keep interested in the matter, then they lose the 100 advisers for the troops in Uganda.
5. In TFA, we see how Okonkwo's tribe goes about trying to solve things peacefully. In the Kony 2012 video, the Invisible Children are trying to promote a way to regain a peaceful situation in Uganda.
1) I think that Russel believes that he made the video to bring awareness to the issue. He didn't intend to say that it's the white man's burden and that Africa couldn't do anything for themselves. It has brought awareness to the issue, but it has also brought lots of controversy and criticism.
ReplyDelete2)Some think that the donations of money are being put to the wrong use. Many think that the video belittles the people from Africa who have helped. The video makes it seem like they aren't doing anything about it, when in fact, they are. It makes it seem like white people have to save them and that they are incapable of helping themselves. I think that these are valid criticisms and that Russel failed to tell the whole story. He should have included the things that Africans were doing to resolve the problem on their own, and de-emphasized the belief that white people need to save them. We don't need to save them. They can save themselves. What we might need to do is assist them, if they want it.
3)I think that the line is vague, but it is shown in the choice of words and images. The Kony 2012 video focuses more on white people helping the Africans. Not Africans solving their own problems and being helped by white people. There is a difference between the two.
4) You can't fully understand a 26 year war in a 27 minute video. Especially if the view is only from an outsider. The only pro that I can think of is that people will be aware of the war. They won't understand it, but they will have a vague idea of what is there.
5)Achebe is trying to show the culture of Africans and how it all fit together before it was Imperialized. Kony 2012 is not really doing that. It didn't show at all what the Africans were doing to approach the problem before we started steping in.
1) I think that Jason Russell made this video because he was disgusted with what he saw and found out about Joseph Kony and what he has done, and he wanted to/ felt the need to promote, make people aware of what was going on. The video has had both negative and positive reactions. Many people have become involved and felt the need to help, they had become more informed, but it has also shown an example of the “white man’s burden.”
ReplyDelete2) I’m sure other people have said the same thing but it is obvious the main criticism from this is it is just another example of the “white man’s burden.” That we as a country (or white man) feels it is our need to help, and to solve the problem. In my opinion we should offer our help if they don’t want it then we don’t need to help but if they do want our help then I say we need to give it to them, it is not our problem as “the white man” but as a civilization we need to help prevent these despicable acts from happening.
3) I don’t think that this is the notion of westerners being the savior, I think this should be everyone, not just westerners trying to better the world, we should all being fighting for the same cause and if we do that it is not a westerners savior it is bettering the civilization.
4) Well there is the obvious pro of distilling a complicated 26 year war and that is that it brings awareness to people. With awareness it could spark the interest people may have in the subject and those people will go out and learn about it and become more informed. But along with this comes the con that people think they know everything from this simple thirty minute video, and they think that they know the answer and are going to be the savior when in reality they barely know anything about what is going on.
5) I don’t know if this is true, but I see a comparison in the “western people” think they are going to be the savior just from watching a thirty minute video, it’s great that they are interested but they are not informed enough on the complexity of the situation, and this relates to TFA because the “white man” does not know much about the tribe and the complexity within the tribe but they think they do.
1.) I believe Jason Russell made that video to spread awareness. I think that he is well aware that the situation has possibly changed much just as the woman in the video stated. In my opinion, I think that Jason Russell believes that since Americans have the money and the military power we should do something about it. He made the video in such a way that if you had never been made aware of the situation before, you probably would agree with everything he says in the video.
ReplyDelete2.) The criticisms of the video that have come out have been those of people in Africa thinking Americans feel it is their duty to play "big brother" almost and go and fix their problems. Another criticism is that of racial overtones where they might feel Americans need to help them because they are in Africa. I think the racial criticism is just plain not true. I completely agree with the first one though, we do not need to help them if they can do it themselves. I think that some people tend to be far too liberal and believe that everyone should get a helping hand when in my opinion people need to fix their own problems. However, if they come and ask for help and they legitimately do not have the resources or ability to get the resources to fix the problem then that is when we should help.
3.) I draw the line for "helpful activism" where it has to do with our national security. When we are the ones who are paying the taxes for our military the absolute first priority is making sure we act in situations where our security might be threatened. I also believe that there are other situations such as Rwanda in the 90's, WWII, and Syria today where the people legitimately do not have the ability to help themselves and we need to help them for humanitarian purposes. I think that stepping into Africa to fix their problems when people have said that they do not need us necessarially if they can do it themselves. I also believe that "helpful activism" should in other instances be in the form of humanitarian aid such as food and water supplies and not always military action.
4.) The pros and cons are very simple in my opinion. The pros are bringing awareness, getting some people to do their own research into the issue to get the facts strait and getting people to expand their horizons to world issues not only just the issues that affect them directly in their own lives. The cons are that it is propaganda for one person or persons' views which may or may not be even correct and it can give a poor image of something that is not necessarially bad (such as the current situation in Uganda).
5.) in the story, Achebe is trying to show a situation in Africa where things may have been alright to the people there before Westerners came in. Kony 2012 is doing something similar the other way around, making propaganda saying that we need to intervene which may or may not be true. These are all just my opinions.
1) I believe Russell made the video in an attempt to not only change the world by eliminating Kony, but to also open the eyes of the world. There are issues much bigger than our own but we are all human and must address this all together as a species.
ReplyDelete2) Some criticism believe that this Kony movement may be fake and just trying to see the power of the people and possibly even an attempt for Russell to make a quick buck. Frankly I don't really have an opinion on this. It may very well be a get rich quick scheme, but I just don't know enough about it to really give an opinion.
3) I feel that I have to tread this very lightly in the sense that some may call me inhumane and selfish, but I feel that we shouldn't really help them at all. All governments regardless of how it's ran is influenced by its people. If they came together and rose together then he would be taken down over night. Sure lives will be at stake and they are under tyranny, but I feel we shouldn't risk our own well being for others. We are all mammals, I don't see lions going to other lion's dens and assisting them with their hunter problem. Now let's say that the lions starting killing the hunters, then the hunters will have to start looking for a new way to get their food.
4) The only pro that is of importance is getting people to look beyond themselves. As for the con, the simplification may shadow the more important things than just eliminating Kony. Ex:Starving children, returning children to their parents, etc.
5) The tension between TFA and Kony is clear as day. There is obviously a clear problem that needs to be resolved. But I do feel that Kony is doing a much more peaceful matter by simply showing motivation rather than strength.
1: Russell beleived he could shine the light on this situation to create the response of global awareness. I do feel that he felt obligated not only as a white man but as a privaliged person to try and help the less fortunate. But I do feel as it was on a race level and he knew that Africans he was helping.
ReplyDelete2:Most critisim drew attention to the fact that the Invisible Children isnt an established form of rescue, that maybe Russell want to get the quick buck. My opinon is that why not focus on issues in your own backyard but our society tell america with its late night feed the African babies for fifty cents a day, that they need the help and not shining light on the millions of starving babie here in the states.
3:As major as this problem in Africa is, its also really small. The African people, my over seas family dont live a life of tragedy that America likes to highlight. As in our country there are problems that we havent even attended to so we really have no business trying to put up this superhuman look to still look superior and rich to other countries. So I feel we shouldnt interfere only because I feel the motive isnt truly to help.
4: A pro is how everyone could become involved and help out and sleep at night for helping someone for the first time in your life but anyways.....A con maybe this wont work and it may never eliminate whatever there trying to stop.
5: The obvious tension between Kony and TFA I dont know if I can say needs to be resolved but the could work on their relationship. Kony is actually demonstarting a shelfish, "my four and nomore", aerogant attitude I feel America was built upon. "Get what I need" and disregaurd humanity just for myself aka tyranny is a concept a lot of power hungry people want or just attention horrors need. Kony Is a voice that is saying something. Are we really listening?
Chloe Warren
1) I think he made this video to raise awareness of an evil person who is getting away with atrocious crimes, and try to get people motivated and have them help out those in need and make the world a better place overall
ReplyDelete2) The one major criticism is that Africans have an issue that all other people think that they are not able to fend for themselves and aren’t able to handle their own issues. Another issue people have is that people feel we should be there because some of the information has been exaggerated in order to make a point. Personally, I feel these criticisms are completely invalid; the critics are saying that it isn’t right that people are taking care of their issues instead of letting them learning from their mistakes. If they were to learn from their mistakes they should have done it in the past 26years. They obviously aren’t taking the measures needed so I don’t understand why they oppose help to make the world a safer and better place
3) In this situation it’s helping them through funding and other means rather than telling them they can’t do it themselves. We aren’t being their saviors, we are helping and assisting them to they can be the savior of themselves and no longer have the threat of a horrible man abducting small children.
4) The pros are that when it’s so easily understandable people can see that they are needed and that they are able to help those in need . The cons are that not everything is going to be 100% accurate because you aren’t able to explain everything in 30mins and thus people can have differing ideas then what is actually happening.
5) Both of these issues’ aims are to help those I need by putting some of our culture into the people in order to keep them safe. In TFA there is much more involvement then just providing the people with financial aid and helping them improve their army.
1. I think that Jason Russell made this video to bring awareness of this situation to America and everywhere all over social networking. I think he had the right intentions on making this video and did not mean for people, especially Africans, to take it as if Africa can't fight their own problems and that they always need Americans or other to help them.
ReplyDelete2. The criticisms of the video are on how the white man always feels the need to help Africa and other countries out. Also on governments and activists not doing their job properly.
3. For me, I think to bring awareness and to help Uganda out is perfectly fine. But to actually say that Africa always needs outside help would be very rude and I think that is where i draw the the line of helpful activism.
4. The Pros would to bring awareness to Joseph Kony and to have more people play an active part in this situation. The Cons would be that Uganda and other people will take the video the wrong way and not having all the information about this problem and not stating that people have tried and done things to stop Kony.
5. I think a comparison to the book and the video is that both the people are seeking outside help. In the book the people of the village go to the Oracle to ask for help with their disputes and the Kony video is bringing outside awareness and asking to help Uganda.
1. I think Jason Russell made this video because he wants to help people in Africa and let us Americans realize that kids in Africa are struggling to live. The impact it has is that it brought attention to thousands of people in America. The word is spread and we plan to help make this happen. The bad impact on this is that to some African American people feel that the Americans are giving pity. They feel as if they are incapable of fixing the problem themselves. They do not want to feel like they always have to turn to America for help.
ReplyDelete2. I feel like discrimination will always be around. No matter how many times we tell others, we tend to judge others by the way they dress, look, and think. The criticisms in this video tells how they feel like they can't fight for themselves. They always have to rely on others to help make a better place. I feel like if they stop thinking that way and appreciate what we have to give, then life would be so much easier. To feel incapable of defending for your own country may sound weak but at the same time, when there is help given why not take it? Why not just accept that generocity. We don't ask much we just want to help. They just don't see it that way.
3.Helping does not included anything in return. If you plan to "help" someone do not ask for something back. I think that westerners being savior of all incapable foreigners are not "bad" but they sometime might feel like they are "obligated" to help. America just wants to bring peace to the world. If foreign countries struggle to survive of course the Americans would step in the help, if the foreign country doens't want the help, they could just reject the helping had that the Americans are giving.
4. The pros for this is that they have condensed everything down to simple text that people are easily understand what is going on. The cons for this is that people might hear about it but not put the effort to make a difference.
5. The comparison between Kony 2012 and TFA is that they both struggle and is looking for help. TFA shows how things would be better if westerners came in to help. Kony 2012 shows how westerners need to step in because innocent childrens are being abducted. Westerners are taking actions by spreading the word out and making the world know who he is and try to make a difference.
Can you make one comparison between what is happening with 'Kony 2012' currently in our culture and what Chinua Achebe was discussing in TFA from what you've read so far?
1)My theory why Jason Russell made the video is because he wanted to help the Ugandian kids who were abducted on their free will and are forced to kill their families. And let the nation realize whats happening to the kids in Uganda that are struggling to live on a daily basis.
ReplyDelete2) There criticism to the video because some people think its a profitable organization that takes 69% of the donation to themselves. Recent news that Jason was intoxicated and was seen masturbating and vandalizing cars, so there will be a big impact to it as well.
3) I think its for a good cause and i think not only helping Uganda its also helping us know that we the people have the power to do this movement and change the world as we know it.
4)The Pros are that it would bring awareness to Joseph Kony. And let the world know that we have the power to change. And the cons to this would be if we fail this project then we all fail and a movement wouldn't happen like this in a long time.
5)Achebe is trying to demonstrate the culture of Africans. while we are trying to make Joseph Kony a icon and into our culture?
1. Jason Russell most likely made this video to promote awareness to the millions of people who didn't necessarily know all of the details as to the ongoing 26 year war in uganda and child trafficking and soldiers. The impact it has had on those who have seen it is a bit controversial. It has inspired millions to want to do something to help, but then it has allowed others to campaign against it. It's almost like you watch one 30 minute video and become a social activist, not saying that its a bad thing, because thats usually what inspires involvement in programs like invisible children, but to those who are against the campaign its just fuel to their fire that the people who are just now joining the cause think its only because they feel bad for the children
ReplyDelete2. That it is back to the days of colonialism, and white man's burden. I think they are well founded, the video focuses too much on the 'saviors', and not the people who are being saved.
3.) I think that it is good that the United States is helping the foreigners because they have more resources and they are more capable of helping the 3rd world countries.
4. Some pros of a distilling the war is that a lot more people would know about it and would get the general idea but some of the key points would be missing. Also that people would understand it more and probably would want to learn more about it and get involved. The cons are that you can't really make a 26 year war understandable because there are so many things that people won't know about or get if you shrink it down and there are so many things that are happening in the war that it is hard to grasp how bad it gets for these people.
5. In TFA, we see how Okonkwo's tribe goes about trying to solve things peacefully. In the Kony 2012 video, the Invisible Children are trying to promote a way to regain a peaceful situation in Uganda.
Riley snook
ReplyDelete1) he made this video so people can understand what is going on in uganda and not just you uganda but whereever Kony has been and is going. the video makes a huge impact because no one has really been aware of whats going on till now.
2)some Critisms is that the "white man" have to come and be their savior.
3)i think there is a really small line between being an activist and always helping, for me being the activist is just standing up for things and making little actions toward the solution, on the other handhelping isnt as much as standing up for things but taking more actions then activist would.
4)distilling the war would make people know more about it and know what we can do to help.
5)they both have problems however the way TFA described how to solve it was much more dramatic then how the Activist are trying.
Hailey Elden
ReplyDelete1) He made this video to uphold his promise to Jacob to help him and help the other victims of Kony by making this a well known issue that millions of people are now aware of. This video makes a huge impact because it is on a major website where people can watch this video and learn about the issue and be able to spread the word about it so people can be involved and educated about the problem.
2)There have been a lot of criticism about the video for multiple reasons. I watched a video on a girl who is originally from Uganda and she said that when she told her parents about it they just laughed because they say that Kony has been dead and that no kids have gone missing for a long time. She also claims that he is just doing it to make money and that he has made a lot of money by doing it. I disagree with her because i really don't think he would be doing this just make a lot of money you can see how passionate he is about this cause and he wouldn't be doing it just to scam people out of money. Also if he was dead or not abducting children anymore I feel like their would be more proof that he was gone and it would be more well known considering he is the number most wanted criminal in the world.
3) You draw the line between "helpful activism" and being the worlds "savior" when there is a need to step in you can't always be the one stepping in to everyone's issue because then your country will be succeeding and people may start taking advantage of the thought that well they will jump in to save us. I think the US stepping in to help the invisible children is an act of helpful activism because this issue wasn't very well known before and no one was doing anything to help them (from my knowledge)before.
4) some pros about it are basically what I've been talking about through this whole blog spot about basically bringing awareness to the war and a con would be that they have brought so much awareness that Kony knows people know about him and he is now in hiding.
5)TFA has stated the problem and then discusses how to solve it and they try to do it peacefully and so are the people of the invisible children campaign they are trying to promote it in a peaceful way and not like lets go to war and kill that evil man they are trying to bring justice