Sunday, 18 March 2012

Awareness doesn't hurt, does it?


Whether it was for his powerful half-hour documentary plastering viral media, or his recent admittance in to a mental institute, Jason Russell hasn't failed to top news headlines. However, in this post, I would like to focus more on this 'KONY 2012' campaign. After having watched this video, millions of people decided to cover social-networking sites in the grip of a social revolution. From the intimate talks in English class to the countless pages of statuses and pictures on my Facebook newsfeed, it was called for to make a blog post about this trending issue. 

Having heard the speculation around where the funds go, even I'm hesitant to put any money towards the initiative, although I agree on supporting the heart of this cause. As mentioned in the video, Kony has been doing this for over twenty years, and only now is it coming to the surface. I don't believe the strategy they're suggesting perfect, but in terms of giving the cause a voice, I believe it's helping.

Also, I agree that 'awareness' is not a definite precursor of social change, but it sure is a step in the right direction. I'll admit that I had no idea that this was happening until I watched that video. I feel it's made me less ignorant and just that much more knowledgeable. Social change, no matter what reforms are needed within a culture itself, can not occur without awareness.

However, it bothers me how uninformed people are, whether they support KONY 2012 or not. The real issue is whether or not you think it's wise to support a charitable organization that appropriates funds in this way. We don't know whether or not the funds are going towards the right cause, as with many other organizations. I think people need to realize that mostly all non-profits are created with good intentions, but they're definitely not all equal. However, in terms of supporting the heart of the cause, I believe that this is obviously an issue that needs addressing. If this could be considered a bandwagon, I see it as one worth joining in on. 

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