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“Kony 2012” backlash growing on Facebook

Trollface's response to Kony is rapidly making the rounds.

 

Kevin Collier

Streaming

Posted on Apr 23, 2012   Updated on Jun 2, 2021, 6:07 pm CDT

Every day, the Daily Dot finds something that people on Facebook are sharing and, in turn, shares it with you—with a little explanation. Here’s today’s share.

Seven weeks ago, a video campaign to bring Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony into the public spotlight went viral on Facebook (and everywhere else). Facebook users are finally sharing the backlash.

On top of a poster for “Kony 2012,” someone’s printed out and posted the advice macro known as trollface, along with the caption “If you talkin’ about Kony I feel bad for you son. He snatched 99 kids and your poster saved none.”

You could read the image two ways. First, that it’s a serious criticism. From the outset of the Kony campaign, it’s been accused of slacktivism—the notion that people who simply raise awareness of an issue, without engaging more fully in it, are simply patting themselves on the back.

The trollface shares might indicate the backlash finally is in full force on Facebook.

“Problem?” asked Maxamilian Demian, echoing the trollface’s common catchphrase.

On the other hand, trollface’s unsympathetic comment is touching some nerves.

“This isn’t really a funny issue. I’m up for a laugh and I might not agree with everything Invisible Children does but this shit is actually happening and I doubt you’d find it funny if it happened in your country,” wrote Lewis Davidson.

“lol@lewis,” responded Sean Lavelle.

It’s almost as if Lewis was trolled by the trollface. Imagine that.

Photo via Facebook

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*First Published: Apr 23, 2012, 7:12 pm CDT