Invisible Children, the organization behind the video Kony 2012, visited Brown last night to screen the sequel to the film - "Kony 2012: Part 2 - Beyond Famous" - but students expressed doubt as to what the future of the movement holds.
The original video went viral in March and currently has over 88 million views on YouTube. It explains the notoriously inhumane practices of Joseph Kony and the Lord's Resistance Army - abducting children from African villages and forcing them to serve in his army.
"Part 2" begins with clips citing widespread criticism of the original video that claimed the movement would fail to attract support outside of Facebook and Twitter. The film counters the criticism by announcing concrete action organized by Invisible Children, such as a publicity event that took place April 20 and a gathering at the United Nations this upcoming June. The film also explained the progress the organization has made in Uganda, such as rebuilding infrastructure and constructing schools.
The screening, which took place in Hunter Auditorium, also featured speaker Adonga Quinto, a native Ugandan who survived Kony's forces. He described his accounts of being captured and beaten by the Lord's Resistance Army, as well as his eventual escape. Quinto now travels with Invisible Children to share his experience and encourage support.
Despite the popularity of the first video, Invisible Children has struggled to attract supporters to its events. "Cover the Night," the April 20 publicity event cited in the second film, failed to garner the support it had anticipated. Caleb Riddle, a representative for Invisible Children, addressed criticisms of the event, which aimed to plaster cities nationwide with posters, stickers and murals, by adding, "there were still committed people that participated, and that is what matters."
Fewer than 15 people came to the screening. "I am very disappointed by the turnout this evening," said King John Pascual '14, a Herald business staffer. He attributed the low attendance in part to "the short attention span we have."
Cassidy Bennett '15, the student who brought Invisible Children to the University, echoed Pascual's sentiment. "I was definitely bummed," she said, adding that she wished the screening could have taken place before "Cover the Night" so students would have been more aware of the event.
Total views of the videos also suggest decreasing interest in the movement. Though posted two weeks ago, "Part 2" has received a little under two million views - far fewer than the 88 million the first video has received.
The Kony videos evoke sympathy from many viewers, but others believe they oversimplify the deep-rooted issues in Uganda and other countries affected by the LRA. "I was definitely very skeptical about the strong appeal to emotion," said Ben Chowdhury '15. "It didn't explain everything well enough."
Some remain hopeful for the future of Invisible Children and termination of the LRA. "Invisible Children has succeeded in its goal to bring attention to the case," said Josue Crowther '15. "Raising awareness is what is important right now."
