Joseph Kony, the Invisible Children and the rest

Joseph Kony, the Invisible Children and the rest

A video exposing one of the most notorious contemporary criminals and awakens youth from their slumber has raised huge reactions and criticism. Non-Governmental Organisations are once again targeted.

On the 5^th of March a video was uploaded on youtube and immediately became viral – which means huge success. During only its first week it hit 70.000.000 views and became food for thought for hundreds of other videos, posts and comments. The video’s theme is: The last decades a basic problem in Uganda is the one regarding Joseph Kony’s actions. With his army, the so-called Lord’s Resistance Army, he kidnaps, mutilates, rapes and destroys. The video urges its viewers to support their organisation called the ‘The Invisible Children’. With the moto ‘Make Kony famous’ the organisation hopes that Politics (and more particularly the United States of America) will take action against Kony and save Uganda. The reactions and criticism raised are too big to be ignored. Each and every one contributes to this discussion by giving his/her opinion and more information. This article presents some of the criticism as well as some conclusions.

The common denominator of all the criticism is the following: the video and the information it provides are misleading since J.Kony actions have been halted in Uganda. Many mention that he currently resides out of the country – possibly at Congo – or even that he is dead. Others, maybe more extremes, support the view that the video predisposed the public’s positive reaction to an upcoming invasion to Uganda from the United States Army – serving in this way the politico-economic benefits of the country. Whatever the truth may be, the unfortunate realization was that it proved to be very easy to trick the wider public. Especially the youth appeared to be the most vulnerable. An HD video, some moving pictures and a persuasive commentary are enough to make the youth believe whatever Hollywood wants them to believe. Note that many celebrities such as Rihanna, J. Bieber or Oprah support the campaign. It is a shame that despite the good intentions of all those that shared this video on their social media, they proved to be easy to influence, even naïve. There is a need to filter and double check the information we get, and this is something we shouldn’t forget.

Other critics focused not on the video itself but more on those enthused and motivated by it. More specifically, many blamed those who ‘shared’ that video by saying that they have been led to believe that with this action they are contributing to saving Uganda and consequently the world. They are not wrong, but they are not right either. This is one of these situations where your opinion depends on whether you see the cup half empty or half full. Undoubtedly, sharing a video on Facebook does not change much. But it is a small change. People blame the MTV that it is creating lazy and insensitive youth or that the youth does not care about politics. But, isn’t the fact that someone dedicated some of his time to watch, share and discuss that video definitely an improvement? We shouldn’t be criticizing those who shared that video as this will only lead to their confiding in their micro world even more. Rather, we need to build upon the interest they showed for this tragic story, motivate them to engage with similar issues and give them more food for thought.

Finally, many focus on the way this organisation uses its earnings. The analysis of their financial statement reveals high salaries and the use of only a small percentage of funding to the ‘real’ aim of the organisation. This topic is part of a broader discussion about Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and their financial activities. Truly, many NGOs are not saviors and many are clearly profit-oriented. But we shouldn’t put all NGOs in the same basket as there are many worthy ones. The fact that some NGO employees earn good salaries need not be that highly critised. To put it simply, to a large extent an average NGO employee works more than a common public employee, is a scientist (with a Master degree, PhD or publications) and is a professional dedicated to his/her noble causes. However we should avoid dangerous generalizations: there is no reason for an NGO employee to be paid a low salary in order to fit in to the wrong and socially created profile of the activist.

Unfortunately the issue of J. Kony as well as the NGO’s is too complex to be fully analysed in this article, where we only managed to highlight some of the issues. In conclusion, in life there is no black and white, good and bad. There are many colors in between and it is up to each person to make up their own opinion on the topic – which will be respected as long as it is a well-informed one.

This is  my article – translated by me – as appears at http://www.popuppress.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=453:o-j-kony-mko&catid=110:2010-05-09-18-46-52&Itemid=221 - The online version of the POP UP magazine!

Written on the 12 March 2012 

Soup runs in London

On Saturday night I desperately wanted to go out. However, London decided to dress up in white and force me to stay home. After some months of bizarrely nice weather, it snowed. A lot. But that didn’t put me off. The mood for going out was still there and so, on Sunday morning I put on my snow boots and walked alone from Covent Garden to Westminster and then to Tate Modern Gallery (approximately 1 hour). I wouldn’t say it was a very cold day but the streets were empty. Keeping in mind it was Sunday in Central London, it looked like the middle of the Sahara desert. Two things grabbed my attention. By Thames River, which passes through the city, big transparent trash bags were left on the road. This was weird for two reasons: First, there is no trash in London. Second, the bags were full of clothes. These were obviously for the numerous homeless of the city. I don’t know who left them there, nor do I know why. I just know that some people tried to prevent more fatal incidents from happening because of the cold (as was the case recently in Eastern Europe). Further down the road, under Waterloo Bridge a van was giving away soups. Some of the homeless looked to be more in need than others. A distinctive figure was an Asian woman who had fended off the crowd and had dedicated all her attention (standing still) to her soup. At the same time, a man was collecting the thrown away paper soup cups (proof that there is no uncollected garbage in London).

In comparison to Greece, this situation is not at all original in London. On the contrary, these soup runs are so common that a lot of people complain. It is a fact that soup runs are a huge relief for this social group. But why is that?

To begin with, the number of these organisations is ever growing and the fact that they do not cooperate with each other makes the situation even harder. This means that in areas of Central London where the organisations gather attract more and more homeless creating ghettos. Complaints from the residents are numerous. Another problem is the fact that other social groups like ones outside of London are deprived of these benefits. At the same time, many of these organisations are based outside London and thus have to travel big distances. They could as well support their local social groups that are in need. Another criticism supports that soup runs help the maintenance of this situation instead of helping the homeless escape poverty. The Mayor of London has proposed the ban of soup runs, a fact that raised a lot of criticism.

The discussions on the topic have just started revolving around how these benefits are going to be organised so that: Everyone that is in need can benefit, avoid creating further reactions from the citizens and, finally, to get those in need to start using other similar benefits – such as those offered by churches and institutions. Time will show..

 
This is the article – translated by me – as appears at http://www.popuppress.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=432%3Asoup-runs-&catid=107%3A2010-05-07-15-34-56&Itemid=204 - The online version of the POP UP magazine!

Written on the 6^th of February 2011.

Christmas spirit? Are you there??

When I was a little kid my mum couldn’t put me to bed every New Year’s Eve due to my excitement for Santa Claus and the presents he would bring me. When I grew up a bit she couldn’t handle the excitement of three kids and Santa used to come before we went to bed. Later on, my inherent curiosity for life made me realise by myself that there is no Santa Claus – I was very proud to announce to everybody that “I KNOW THERE IS NO SANTA CLAUS”. But I was still expecting my New Year’s gifts. But why? The reason is simple as that and comes under two words: habit and commercialization. 

You see, rehab is painful. Especially for a kid who is suddenly denied its gifts due to the fact that he/she is growing up. This is the part when society is starting to teach us that growing up is no good (welcome back my inner Peter Pan…) and also that everything comes at a cost. So my pride that I was mature enough to deny Santa came with the realization that I ‘m not gonna have all the gifts I ‘d like. Stubborn as I was I still managed to get my presents. But was it only the fact that I was persistent enough? No, I would say. But that’s a whole different story. The point is that I was taught that Christmas means presents. Period.

But wasn’t Christmas about something else too? Some of my dead brain cells start to wake up from their lethargy…Yeah! That’s it. Christmas used to be a religious celebration. What happened to that? Was poor Jesus bored to be reborn every year and handed over the business to Santa? He is more modern anyway…nice uniform, dwarfs, flying reindeers…and gifts! Many gifts! What did Jesus bring along? Promise to save our souls? Lol, good one Jesus!

So, here we are today, 2011. For some people Christmas might still be a religious thing (I don’t know any of these fellows – If you read this raise a thump please) – and that’s a good thing. For others it might the gifts – and that’s also good. For others, like me, it might be all about being brought back to origin. I do admit, I can’t imagine Christmas without my mum’s gorgeous, huge, sparkling, one of a kind tree or her Christmas sweets (and that’s why this Xmas sucks). But subconsciously or not, we all feel like spending time with family at Christmas. Maybe it is the bad weather, maybe it is that we take days off and just lie around the house – inevitably with family - or maybe it’s because  you just feel like bringing back your childhood (shut up Peter Pan again!). But who cares what the reason is? Gift-with or Gift-less, Jesus-with or Jesus-less Christmas has established itself as a family thing - maybe the only one alive…! So, at last, Christmas is all about showing love….just that people express their love differently. And that’s perfectly fine!

Love you all,

Enjoy your Christmas

 

What happens when your life gets stuck.

Well, I would call you a liar if you said that you have never felt that your life is stuck at some point or another. We all have felt it. I feel it. About every three days. And then I feel stuck to the same ground, numb, incapable to move towards any point of the room. I stay still, staring at the DLR coming and going just as I feel my life is. Move-less, observing others do things and me being the spectator.

But I deny to be that person. I say to myself to wake up from the lethargy I am in. I inject myself with some happy thoughts – and get stoned with positive energy. You see life is just like that. It is cyclical. Just like the water system or monopoly! You always go back to the start point. But remember! Every time is different. You don’t make a fresh start, the game has already stared and you are now part of it. You either quit (noooooooo!!!!) or pick up your pieces and keep on going. You already have your previous supplies and you need to build upon them. So, if you have bought a road you now start building houses. And then you go back to start point again. But you already have built some houses. Now you build some more. And then some hotels... So, as in monopoly, in life you are never in point zero. You might feel so but each time remember you have new experiences, new knowledge and a past. Your past builds your future and your past is who you are. Life, like history, repeats itself monotonously. Embrace your past and learn from it. If your food needs more salt, remember it the next time you cook it. If you fail in something, remember what you did wrong and make it right the next time. If you have a good time with your friends, meet with them more. If you get hurt in love remember you have been hurt before. There will always be a time that you feel that you have never eaten that much, you have never had more fun, you have never loved more. But you have. But that is what is special about the repetitiveness of life. Even if you have done something before, each time is special and different. So are start points.

13 things I learned from working at Harrods:

1.        There is no such thing as richness threshold.

2.        MiddleEasterns cannot say “alcohol” Just cohoo.

3.        MiddleEasterns might explode if they don’t find cocoa dusted almonds.

4.        I can now make ribbons around boxes. It is not hard to be honest…

5.        There is no stupidity threshold:

Case 1

-            What is the difference between the fudges?

-            They are different flavors.

-            But what do you mean? I don’t understand. You need to explain me..

-          Ok Madame. This is the vanilla fudge, this is the strawberry fudge, this is the chocolate fudge, this is the butterscotch fudge, this is the maple and walnut fudge, this is the Christmas pudding fudge, this is the passion fruit fudge….(kill me…kill me now).

Case 2

-            Why do chocolates have different expiry dates?

Do you really care about the rest of the conversation….?

6.        The Black American Express (yes the one you are super duper spender and you get chosen to be offered to use) is heavy. It actually feels precious. It makes you feel soooo special…even though it is that weird looking Chinese’s that you bet would buy 5 pounds of chocolate and make a huge deal out of it.

7.        The really rich people are nice. They don’t bother to show off. I like them.

8.        Japanese are by far the sweetest customers on Earth! Thank you Japan for the excellent manufacturing!

9.        British are rude customers. By nature. There is nothing they can do about it.

10.    I can speak a tiny bit Turkish. Tesekkur ederim Oslem & Sema!

11.    People never pay attention to the store’s announcements. What if the store is empty, displays are being covered, staff is walking away and lights are closing. You need your chocolate and you need it now! Sorry, my rules bitch!

12. If you work for Harrods you are part of the decoration. Consider yourself a monument. Like St.Pauls Cathedral lets say.. So you have to bare with cameras been randomly put into your face because "you 're just so cute!!!!". That's not in my contract!!! I ll break your freaking camera you fool tourist! aaaaaaaagrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

13.    Being polite can save you during hard times. So BE POLITE TO ALL!

What is the Donkey Island

The Island of Chrisi (which means gold in the Greek language) is also known as the Donkey Island. Situated at the Libyan sea at the east end of the Island of Crete it is maybe the most amazing place I have ever been to. What is so special about the island? Well, for me that would be the feeling of being so close to civilization, and yet so far. You see, the island is a tiny one – 5km long. You can walk around it and it will take less than an hour. There is no other way to get there other than a small boat that goes there twice a day.  And last and most important, modern life has barely reached the island. So, no hotels, no electricity, no mobile network and no means to leave the island! Spooky right?

I visited the island in August 2010 with some friends. We took the boat and left Crete for a while. When we reached Chrisi we had to walk carrying all our stuff under the burning sun and set up our camping stuff. Once finished we run to the beach. That was love at first sight. The golden sand gave the water a golden look as well. Entering the sea was a bit traumatizing for our feet because of the fossils/rocks. The volcanic rocks that have been found in the area are very rare and date up to 70.000 years – even before when Chrisi was an island. I spend long hours with my water goggles looking at the bottom of the sea. I clearly recall the deep but narrow deepening at the bottom as if someone had dug an underwater maze. Still I haven’t found any explanation for that underwater mystery.  Other than that the island is covered with beautiful tall trees that provide shade to the campers.

After the last boat leaves the island, around 6, it is when the magic starts. The population of the island is largely minimized. Random campers, that have become friends after spending days or weeks at the island, get together to enjoy the quietness. Tourists have left and the place is ours and just ours! I had cold beer at the beach bar – which even though added a sense of modern didn’t annoy anyone. I played rackets, read my book and fell asleep on the sand. We mingled with other “residents” of the island, drank more beer and played beach volley. When the sun went down we all stopped to enjoy the colors and the uniqueness of the moment.

We soon decided to leave and go grab something to eat at the other end of the island (yeah, that’s like 10 minutes’ walk). We much enjoyed our time there. We chatted, ate nice food and drank wine. We then left and dragged ourselves to the sunbeds again. From that side of the island we could see Crete. Bright lights glittered from somewhere far away and we knew there were people there. But if these people looked at our side they would never see anything else apart from deep darkness. There is no light. The feeling of being so close to something that ignores your tiny existence is unique. And as if that wasn’t enough, that night there was a big meteor shower. Meteors were falling all the time and we could even think of new wishes to make (*tradition says that when you see a falling star and make a wish, it will come true).  We had a lovely time then. We laughed a lot and I realised how you need nothing more than good company to have an amazing time. We didn’t care about music, drinks, lights or comfortable pillows. But we soon got cold and went to sleep. Often I cherish that night that I spend with my friends, just us in the end of nowhere. I promised myself I will return to the Donkey Island and I will do it. Anybody wants to join?