When Digital Activism Goes Wrong | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

When Digital Activism Goes Wrong

The Kony 2012 and Bring Back Our Girls Campaigns had masses supporting them, until they lacked results.

26
When Digital Activism Goes Wrong

In March of 2012 and April of 2014, two social media fueled revolutions reached people around the world. Remember the Kony 2012 campaign for the arrest of African militia leader Joseph Kony and the Bring Back Our Girls campaign for the 276 Nigerian schoolgirls who were kidnapped by the terrorist group Boko Haram? It seems that when these campaigns were new and popular, they tugged on the heartstrings of people everywhere. The Kony 2012 video was shared by millions of people on various social media websites, and the Bring Back Our Girls campaign was backed by people everywhere, including first lady Michelle Obama.

First, let’s get some background information on these digital activism movements.

Kony 2012 was essentially a short film that called for the arrest of African militia leader, Joseph Kony, for his crimes against humanity, mainly the forced recruitment of child soldiers. The film is centered around the Invisible Children, group that focuses on the capture of Joseph Kony in honor of all the children that he recruited for his African militia groups. The film called for a night for people all over the world to plaster their communities with posters of the face of Joseph Kony, so the film and the group behind the film could gain recognition in the international community, hopefully resulting in the arrest of Joseph Kony. The night resulted in much less of a turn out than expected or wanted, groups of about 17 people met in cities in Canada. Needless to say, the Kony 2012 movment and film did not result in the capture of Joseph Kony, or any of the other goals that Invisible Children wanted to meet.

The Bring Back Our Girls campaign began with the kidnapping of 276 Nigerian schoolgirls from a small village called Chibok by the Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram. The campaign resulted in a worldwide support for the schoolgirls to be recovered, and brought back to safety. It was supported by government officials everywhere, including Michelle Obama. Needless to say, this digital movement didn’t result in finding all of the kidnapped girls- 219 of the girls still remain missing, and young boys are also forced to join Boko Haram, as well.

It’s often that we hear of something that once was important to us in the past, or popular in the past. Kony 2012 broke the hearts of people everywhere, and Bring Back Our Girls showed the world just how dangerous it is for children in places that we often forget even exist.

But what let us forget about these children that are in such dangerous areas that are not fully understandable to us? It’s isn’t a lack of support, rather the frustration we feel when we see that our hard work can lack results. So many people supported and advocated for the safety of all of these children in turmoil, so the problem never lied with a lack of support. These digital movements instead lacked results, so we tend to give up on them, and it hurts us when we suddenly remember that those children are still out there, so we try to not acknowledge the situation at hand.

The reality is, we will only find results when we persevere, and not give up. If we want to find solutions for worldwide problems, we can, but we also have to face facts that can hurt or frustrate us, like the facts presented in the Kony 2012 and Bring Back Our Girls campaigns.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

120279
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

25797
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

24103
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments