I wish the world could look at images of beauty and resilience and feel compelled to act.
I wish people would see photographs by Nuru photographers, photos that capture the spirit and challenges of the life of the poor in the developing world, and share these photos, these stories, more than 70 million times. Not out of pity, but out of joy.
I wish that, at my local Starbucks at 6:30 on Saturday morning, instead of seeing Kony2012 posters in the window I’d see one of these beautiful photographs from Lagos, Nigeria; from Nairobi, Kenya; from Chennai or from Bhopal in India.
The Nuru project curates breathtaking images from around the world, shares them with the public and uses the proceeds to help nonprofits. Their first partnership was with Acumen Fund, and together with +acumen chapters, they have helped us raise more than $150,000.
The pictures tell a different story – one of connectedness, one of shared possibility, one of dignity.
I know this blog post and the Nuru site won’t get seen hundreds of millions of times. But if you love photography, maybe you will check out the site and buy a print for a dear friend. Maybe you will email the one photography buff you know and let them know about it. Maybe you’ll spread the word on Facebook and on Twitter about this “this gr8 stuff u hve 2 see NOW!!!”
Let’s start spreading a different story.
Someday I would love to have this discussion in person where you can read each others body language, see each others eyes as well as hearing each others words…. I see images of beauty and resilience and enjoy how they make me feel…. often I will share them in order to give a friend the same experience…. these images do not compel me to act. The Kony2012 movement compelled me to act. It stirred that raw human desire to join a movement to right a wrong. It spelled out the horrific injustices, offered steps to resolve it, and showed me a plausible solution and end to that particular injustice. I think it is REALLY cool and inspiring how one guy (with the help of a cute kid) could move so many to action… So I disagree 🙂
I think the Kony 2012 movement is creative. It’s getting attention of those who might not usually be stirred to act because the documentary presents the scary truth in plain English and in black and white. Unfortunately these struggles aren’t black and white. The images shown here tell a story to those that want to sit and listen and embrace the gray. Black and white storytelling is convenient and simple. Where’s the gray celebrating joy and embracing humankind even if there is suffering? It’s here in these images, telling the story to those who want to give their time to sit, listen and act.
In our attempt to bring some closure to this #Kony2012 debacle (see: http://www.how-matters.org/2012/03/12/searching-for-closure-a-kony2012-postscript/), we discussed the value of making issues “sexy.” Learning about the Nuru Project has reminded me that it’s actually about the authentic. Thanks for sharing this genuinely compelling initiative.
when i was watching the video i was thinking about how wigged out i would feel if you made a video of yourself explaining child soldiers to your kids. these are amazing portrayals of beauty and grace you can show a 5-year old!
I appreciate how the Nuru project uses real talent and a real product to make change possible through consumerism.