Approaches to Macro Work

I really appreciate that Dr. Boutwell gave us this assignment because it helped me become more aware of the many things that are happening in our world and to be more informed on how to be a better social worker and practice macro work.

Now, I hope that by reading my blogpost you will all learn something new that you did not know about.


Kony 2012 and Aid-Based Approaches

The video profiles Joseph Kony, a Ugandan rebel leader of the Lord's Resistance Army (L.R.A.), as the world's number one criminal, requesting global action to 'stop Kony' at any cost. To do this, primarily US military intervention will be required. The video mentions so many important things that we need to be more aware of. Facebook is part of today's social media and it is an important way to communicate not only national but also internationally with others and discuss issued pertaining to our world and its social injustices. It is not fair that Joseph Kony has chosen for 26 years how people are going to die and who kills those people. Girls are sex slaves and Boys are soldiers trained to use guns and kill others, even their own parents. "Every single person does not choose where, how and when they are born, but if they are born is because they matter." We are all here for a reason, and as social workers we should feel happy that we chose to help those who are in need.



This is why Invisible Children, an aid-based approach was created to make people aware of Kony's criminal acts. The massive campaign included celebrities such as George Clooney and P.Diddy and a wide array of campaign products including 'stop Kony' iPad covers, bracelettes, and posters; however, as the global hysteria against Kony has grown louder, many have begun to criticize Invisible Children's intentions and approach, because they believe that Ugandans should have more leadership and have their voices heard.

According to the article, "You Don't Have My Vote", Invisible Children’s US staff is comprised exclusively of Americans, as is the entire Board. Ugandan's are not represented in this campaign. "Couldn’t the organization find a single Ugandan?"  As social workers, and Macro Practicioners we should understand and agree that if we are going to fight for a group of people for example gays/lesbians, in this case Uganda, you must make it a priority to engage the voices of the affected population in a real and meaningful way. "The problem here is the lack of balance on who speaks for Uganda (and Africa)".

Kony 2012 - Is not a Revolution

I agree with most of the things that this article is mentioning. I agree that us as social workers and activists' shouldn't choose and assume what is best for others. Instead, we should help them use our social media to help them realize they have a voice, and we shouldn't dare assume we know what's best for them.

I absolutely love how a community was started on facebook about this issue and the more people that joined, the better because it shows that people care. "Where you live shouldn't determine whether you live".



Please watch the following video about how people feel about Kony 2012 and how they believe that it is a SCAM!!

Please comment!!


We obviously have different opinions about this issue, but please listen carefully to her words and try to think of how bad it would be if this was really a SCAM and this problem should have been addressed many years ago just like the articles mention. The articles say that Ugandan's have never been invisible because they've always been there and this problem has always been there.





Pray the Devil Back to Hell- a story about a group of Liberian women determined to fight for their freedom, children and country, even if it meant losing their own lives. In this film, one of the older women says, "peace is not an event, it is a process." I believe that. Going back to Kony 2012, if the Kony Movement teaches us nothing else, I hope it at least teaches us that when peace and justice become a facebook fad, we lose touch of the main fact that it is always about humanity. When that happens, it "becomes our responsibility to be resistant and bring humanity back to the forefront." This is why we as social workers have the responsibility to try to make our world a better one and a safer and peaceful one.

We should all treat each other with respect and love each other because God created us all equal!

WORLD PEACE!