"Kony 2012"
This video was outstanding! It really was an eye opener about what really occurs in third world countries. "Kony 2012" is based on the current issues within Uganda. Currently there is a man named Joseph Kony who is abducting children and force them to kill people within society, even their own parents. These children are very young and are handed guns to complete work that Kony wants done. Kony makes the girls sex slaves and the boys soldiers. Many of these children have mutilated people's faces and killed many of their neighbors. Currently there have been 30,000 children abducted and forced into this rebel group. There is a man in the United States who wants to change this current issue in Uganda and wants Kony to be captured. The American Government at first did not listen but after a second time with many individuals behind them and many children from Uganda telling their story the American Government decided to send in troops to capture Kony. Unfortunately Kony caught on and changed his tactics. Americans helped begin this process of change by building a school and created some jobs. The best thing that was done was a radio network that would protect individuals from rebel attacks. The goal is to get all of the American people aware of the current situation and help Uganda not have to live the life they are living. This is being done by bringing the issue to the light and putting it all over news channels, newspapers and the media. Bringing this issue to the light will help Americans come together and want to help Uganda and with the knowledge and support hopefully Kony is captured.
"Pray the Devil Back to Hell"
This was another moving film about women in third world countries who are facing many cruel societal problems. Many women and families are affected directly by the war that is happening. Women and families are without food, shelter and basic necessities. It was even noted that families could not even afford a cup of rice. The community was being controlled by cruel soldiers that did not have a care in the world for the members of the community. Women came together and knew that something needed to change so they did just that. The women of the community worked closely with individuals within their own community to advocate for peace. This was done by having many peace talks and rallies to raise awareness of what is going on and the issues that society is facing daily. Women really did not understand why the war was even taking place. There was talk that the war was between the wealthy and the poor and also over different race and ethnicity. It just did not make sense that there was so much suffering and cruelty due to war. This film made me upset because I felt that members of the community did not matter and the war was the number one priority. I understand that the war may have been important but the government should be aware of the community and the citizens living in it.
"Kony 2012" is an example of aid based interventions. This is so because Americans are raising awareness and trying to help Uganda get out of their current situation. The Americans helped Uganda build schools and create some jobs. Americans have also taken the stories of the Uganda community and have made them nationwide so everyone is aware of what is going on and how desperately Uganda needs the help and support in capturing their main issue Joseph Kony. "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" is an example of community based aid. This is so because the women within the community came together to raise awareness and advocate for their peace and rights to basic needs. The community came together to have many rallies and peace talks to educate the community on what was happening and what needed to be changed to make life better for women and children.
"Haiti Does Not Need Your Old T-Shirt"
Believe it or not before I even read this article I thought that we as Americans were doing a good thing by sending products that were out of season to third world countries was a good thing. It threw me by surprise when I read that it actually hurts the economy of the third world countries. When American send over clothing and food it is causing businesses to loose their customers because they are getting their needs met for free. When this happens small business owners are not making the profit they need to survive. I guess giving is not always a good thing. Instead of giving to help a community it is more beneficial to educate and assist the community to do it themselves, which is helpful in the long run.
After doing all of the assignments for this week I really got a grip on how to become a good change agent in macro practice. As social workers it is our nature to help and sometimes we think, or at least speaking for myself, that giving is supporting and helpful. Education is the key to success and change within a community. It reminds me of the saying, if you give a man a fish he can eat for one night but if you teach him how to fish he can eat for a lifetime. From seeing these video clips and reading these articles this saying really began to make sense and help me understand the true role of a social worker and change agent.
