Wednesday, March 31, 2010

do something.


The video bellow is a demonstration held on March 30, 2010 for the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (CAIA) marked the Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Day of Action with flash mobs at Chapters Indigo and Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC).I am proud to say two of my very close friends, Brittany Smith and Andrew Bigioni participated in this BDS Day of Action. I asked Andrew about the significance of using a viral video in regards to their project. He said the action was intended to demonstrate solidarity with the Palestinian struggle (as well as concretely act on the boycotts against complicit Canadian companies), so something that can go viral has the real potential to take that sentiment as far as possible. The wider audience the video reaches, the more people begin to really understand the idea of global solidarity and the more people will be inspired and empowered to do the same kind of thing. Those actions are great on their own but they take on so much more significance when they reach a larger audience. To learn more, please visit www.caiaweb.org or endapartheid@riseup.net. They are always looking for support!

Image credit: Andrew Bigioni, Palestine 2009

3 comments:

  1. Very interesting curation. I'm glad you actually blogged about a real world issue. While I am supportive of the Palestinian initiative against the Israeli apartheid movement, I feel like sometimes these viral videos can 'stretch' the truth (or at least embellish it) in order to get their point across. I am particularly referring to the part where it said that the HESEG Foundation bought iPods for all their "lone soldiers" serving in the Gaza Strip. I have no doubt that this foundation financially supports their soldiers, however, having almost completed a Global Development Studies minor, I couldn't help but smirk at the iPod remark. Perhaps though, this is a very effective way of catching someone's attention who might not necessarily be aware of the issue. This is how I feel about Michael Moore documentaries as well: Yes, he obviously stretches facts and exaggerates his arguments, but if this emotional ploy inspires an otherwise ignorant citizen to learn more about the topic at hand, then the film is a success to me.

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  2. I also appreciate this video curation. Regardless of their purpose viral videos reach a wide range of viewers and can create and/or social movements (Flash mob). Most media stretches the truth and if they aren't provocative or entertaining then often they won't be watched. One video which gained a lot of attention on Queen's Campus (through posters) and around the world was the Israeli Apartheid Week trailer. Is it going to far? Is it stretching the truth?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Owx2j_fcs

    Again Films like the Cove, which graphically portrayed the slaughter of Dolphins were very painful for me to watch but at the same time very effective in transmitting the points made in the film.

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  3. Robin KoczerginskiApril 16, 2010 at 4:43 PM

    Great post! I agree with the posts above about how these videos can often stretch the truth, but in the end they have a purpose. There is no doubt that the purpose is achieved.
    Videos have the ability to go viral on the internet in a heartbeat. This really has opened up the way that people can get a particular message across. Even some companies are only producing commercials on the internet because they reach people so much quicker. Look at how successful the "Yes We Can" Obama music video was! The internet has opened up a door for these videos which can reach people like we have never seen before!

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