Invisible Children and TOMS Shoes: A Lesson To Be Learned.

I want to take a moment to collect my thoughts and reflect on a couple of "fads" that seem to have consumed America in the past couple of months. Because of the work they are doing and the call to action they have proposed, I would find it hard to believe that there are individuals who have not heard of the latest in the entrepreneurial, charity-based organizations that have made head lines across America, but let me take a moment to remind you of the work these two organization have done. 

These two organizations have been the topic of many conversations and the theme of many events, as their claim to fame spread like fire, almost over night. Without these two organizations, our time and energy very well might have been wasted on something else, but because of the grandeur of these social causes, I find that hard to believe. Despite all of the good intentions, there is something deeper we need to be conscious of, because without an understanding of this concept, we could find ourselves being led astray very quickly. 

Because of the recent popularity they have received, the two organizations I want to focus on are Invisible Children and TOMS. I know there are many more organizations out there that are similar to IC and TOMS but I want to focus on these two organizations specifically, because I believe they have a few key characteristics in common. First, although the business models of IC and TOMS are very different, each organization has claimed a mission that focuses on the well being of children in poverty stricken countries, an especially sensitive topic. Second, both organizations are run by smart people, who are talented and very good at what they do. Last, but surely not least, both organizations have created nation-wide phenomenon focused on mobilizing large groups of individuals and making them feel like they are effecting change within our world by coming together and bringing about the awareness of injustice.

Unlike other writers on this topic, I am not writing to criticize the actions or claims of either IC or TOMS, but instead I want to focus on something that many individuals have missed in all of the excitement. Let me remind you of the event that was so well executed and so well publicized that it consumed social interactions both online and on the streets, all across America. The event was called Kony 2012 and the slogan was "Make him famous". The idea was to raise awareness of the horrific situations Kony was putting children in, as he created an army of children and had them pillage and destroy villages in East and Central Africa. As soon as IC released the video to market for their cause, the video went viral and many individuals immediately hopped on board with IC in their fight against Kony. 

Almost as soon as the video went viral, critics started focusing on IC and criticizing them entirely. Many issues were brought up with both IC as an organization and the cause IC stood for. Accusations of misleading videos, a misuse of funds, the misrepresentation of Uganda's fight against Kony, a misunderstanding of action versus slacktivism, and ultimately a question of who IC was trying to benefit quickly made their way into what is now a very controversial topic.

In a similar fashion, TOMS has come under the spotlight recently as a successful American business trying to do some good in the world. Although TOMS hasn't created a sort of chaos that IC could be accused of, TOMS is another example of a company being criticized for standing for a good cause. On the TOMS website it states, "With ever pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One." In line with their mission TOMS has created the event called "A Day Without Shoes" to raise awareness of the children who go every day without a pair of shoes on their feet, which leaves them susceptible to soil born diseases. 

Again, similar to IC, TOMS become the focus of criticism after they announced "A Day Without Shoes". Many have brought up concerns regarding TOMS mission, and have since labeled their efforts as "bad aid". Some of the concerns that many critics have brought up have to do with the economics of the countries TOMS is supporting. Since individuals won’t buy something if they know they can get it for free, Critics have accused TOMS of hurting the textile industries in the nations they are supporting because children are receiving free shoes so there is no need for their parents to purchase the shoes locally. Additionally the question of longevity of the shoes and the possibility of an increased susceptibility to diseases could be caused by TOMS’ charity work. An expanded explanation of these questions can be found HERE.

In both cases, there are two sides to the story. There is the side that has taken the country by storm, and there is the side that is criticizing the storm. Both sides work very hard to prove their point, and gain support, but the problem is that by definition, the side that has taken the country by storm already has a majority of the publics support. Understand why the public was taken by storm: because the cause one organization or another is standing for is a charitable, philanthropic cause that makes people feel good. Therefore, the side that is criticizing the storm is typically seen as a pessimistic, narcissistic group, who shouldn’t be trusted. 

So the most important lesson out of all of this chaos starts with the question “Who should be trusted?” It is not necessarily that one opinion or side of the story is more honest than the other, but it's about taking the time to think about questions like these. If we are to find the most logical side of the story, we all have to take the time and make an effort to be open and listen. If we are so consumed by our opinion that we refuse to listen to the other side of the story, we are only placing ourselves at a disadvantage. 

After you take a moment to listen, most people need a moment to think. It’s important to take as long as you need during this step, because you want to be absolutely sure that you are supporting the side of the story that you agree with most. Most people want to be sure that they are supporting the side of the story that agrees most with their moral, philosophical, and theological standards and ideas. Once you understand this you are well on your way to becoming a critical thinker. One that this country could use a few more of, and one that will prove that our generation isn’t just about the feel good moments, but we are advocates of thinking analyitically about a situation and taking a stand for something we believe in, above all else. That’s the point.

Like I said, I’m not writing to criticize either side of the story, Invisible Children or TOMS, or the efforts they are putting forth to make our world a better place. I wanted to focus on an idea that is so much more critical than who’s right or who’s wrong, because none of that can be decided unless we understand how to make those decisions for ourselves. What is most important is that we think critically about hot topics in our world, so that we can be sure we are supporting a cause we agree with. Once we have taken the time to consider both sides of the story, we can be sure we are making the right choice; standing together as one, thinking critically above all else, we make our world a better place.