Reporting critiques of an organization is respectable and provides readers with an unbiased representation of the organization. However, using unknowledgeable sources such as MU freshman Lauren Haden to offer critiques on the Invisible Children organization is a waste of paper and ink. In the article “Invisible Children MU responds to Kony 2012” published in The Maneater on March 9, Lauren Haden is quoted saying “… Invisible Children manipulates the truth and twists conflict to make it more marketable and profitable.” I am not simply picking on this girl or her opinion because the statement she made was negative toward the organization; her statement was a powerful one but one I know is not supported with personal knowledge of the organization or the situation it is pursuing.
While it is true that Invisible Children does only contribute 32 percent of its proceeds to direct aid on behalf of the foundation, it is incorrect to label this as manipulative because the article stated this information was found on the organization’s public [financial statements](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc)! The organization spent an even lesser amount in 2011 on production costs to raise awareness, an investment that has already paid off! Only six days after being uploaded to YouTube, [the latest video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc) by Invisible Children has already reached more than 71 million views!
Another issue I have with Ms. Haden’s statement is the accusation that Invisible Children “twists conflict to make it more marketable.” Invisible Children attempted to explain the on-going conflict in a way that could be easily understood, but a 26-year conflict cannot be explained in its entirety in a half-hour film. Even after watching the film, one cannot be considered an expert in the slightest; that was not its goal. If one wanted to know more before donating to the cause, independent research could be done. The goal of the film was simply to gain widespread attention and benefit the cause of Invisible Children.
Though Invisible Children is not a non-profit organization and spends part of its proceeds on production efforts, such as the video released on March 5, its efforts are paying off and Kony is closer to being brought to justice. Luis Moreno-Ocampo, prosecutor of The International Criminal Court, has said the attention Invisible Children has raised is [“incredible, exactly what we needed.”](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/09/kony-2012-video-criticism-uganda_n_1334549.html?ref=world)
What I ask of those who are going to donate or openly share their opinion on the Invisible Children organization and their cause is to be informed, be knowledgeable of what you’re supporting or refuting. The fact that Invisible Children is not a non-profit organization does not mean that their cause is unworthy or their efforts dishonest. Whether you get involved is your own decision, but don’t criticize others who choose to act.
—Lisa Baniak, junior
lmb4z7@mail.missouri.edu
