It doesn’t matter whose story is out, as long as it benefits him or her. Whether a child or an adult. Anyone who thinks that Glory and other students are not benefiting direct, can visit us and see the truth. Or can contact me for more clarification. I totally agree with what Epic Change is doing. The good thing is, your support goes straight to the targeted ones.

You are doing great work! About 300 pupils are now assured of their studies through your efforts. I wish everyone could know what you are doing. Anyway, I know it’s not possible for you to be supported by everyone. Pull up your socks! You are changing this globe by touching parts of it!

Thank you!
Mama Lucy

Don’t worry about the critics. Keep your motives pure, keep changing peoples lives and keep loving the work your doing. It’s inspiring.

http://twitter.com/franswaa

You say, “I’ll be honest, a semantic discussion does not interest me in the least, and I actually believe that the charity vs. change debate offers a false dichotomy” I have to disagree. Of course we need a semantic discussion. One of the comments, from Jen, said, “The world is changing and so are the rules.” That’s true. But it doesn’t mean we can move through social change initiatives like we’re cowboys and gold prospectors in the Old West. Mutuality and respect are, of course, the values that should underpin our work– but only those aren’t enough. We need to be responsible, reflective, evaluative– and responsive. We need to know what we’re talking about and what will work. A shifting landscape gives even more of an opportunity to look at that. I’m not suggesting that you, Stacey, are some kind of social change hobbyist– nor that there should be artificial barriers to entry into the profession. We have to accept responsibility when we start working within communities- and we must adhere to standards that make sense for all involved parties. It’s strange to me people would think that attention to detail in the social change context somehow connotes a lack of caring or that it belies human connection. I would think intellectual and professional rigor would suggest exactly the opposite– that we care about doing the right thing in the right way.

Secondly, you say “… it is outcomes – not business models – that are the determinants of whether an initiative creates social change.” I agree we have to look at outcomes- creating and demonstrating impact is of the utmost importance and there’s no room left for initiatives that create static solutions or maintenance measures– which is what I believe aid/charity does. (I refer to charity in the “handout” sense- not your definition.) But more than that, we do need to examine our business and strategic models. We need systems-level innovation to confront global crises– and a new paradigm within which we move toward social change. I’m not suggesting that we all stop working while we reform the sector- but reform, innovation and definition we most certainly need. The notion that you can change one life is beautiful– it’s both possible and necessary- and it does make a good story. But a good story only makes sense if you analogize to the larger picture. (Just a brief digression: Systems-level innovation is not the same as top-down approaches. I think some commenters at all the posts have been conflating the two. We need small, local solutions-building that addresses root causes and is replicable and scalable– that’s systems-level innovation I think that’s what you’re attempting to do– though I’m not sure if you’re addressing root causes directly, at least that’s within your stated values.)

On another note, regarding storytelling, what you’ve written above hasn’t changed my mind about the tenor of the story you told that day. Again, I’m not calling your intentions out–you’ve laid out what those are very elegantly. But telling the story as you did, Glory’s poverty and your role in extending your hand to her was the central, lasting image you left with some members of the audience, including me. And it’s an image that belies what you state to be your Approach and your Values. We’ll have to agree to disagree on the characterization that this story places on the individual. It’s not so much a question of who tells the story as it is how the story is told. If we really want change to happen, particularly within developing regions of the world, we as a global community have to commit to not only uncover injustice and inequality, but also stories that explore people within those regions as partners/ collaborators and entities as investments. That may be what you’re trying to do with Epic Change, but that’s not what came out that day. And that’s really troubling, because what did come out puts negative imagery back into people’s minds, which isn’t productive.

Maybe the old saying should be updated to “Actions speak louder than twits.”

I read Beth’s post, the comments as well as some of the tweets that circled around the SXSW panel; and on the one hand I am always happy that people take the concept of social change so seriously; but on the other had the way this went down was troubling. I think that when people have differences or misunderstandings real dialog is the best and only way to get to a place that is healthy, and in the best of all worlds enlightened. I have alot of respect for MobileActive as an organization and, although I know next to nothing about her personally, by extension of Katrine. It was startling to see such seemingly personal attacks in a public forum during a professional event. I am not sure how productive such conversations can be. It is clear that there is a level of misunderstanding about Epic Change that makes it hard to find the truth in her statements. Trying to find the truth in those words though made me wonder did we at Project Diaspora participate in this Poverty Porn phenomenon when we told the story of the women in the Kireka Quarry? In an attempt to raise funds to get them training in their future trade of choice (tailoring) did we exploit their story? I look at the images… both beautiful and haunting and I have to think.. should that finger have been pointed at us? I don’t believe that to be the case, but if yours are… then we are in BIG trouble.

We all need to be asking these questions and making sure that the channels we choose, the tactics we choose and the plans we make don’t compromise our core mission. Sometimes we can get so caught up in implementation that we get blind to the impression we are making.

Staying on message, telling the story the way it is meant to be told, using the right tools for the right reasons at the right time… It is all an art and the truth is we may all look back on what we are doing and say… damn… look at all the missed chances. But we keep trying and do the best we can.

I think the mission of Epic Change, and the way you are making a difference and marvel. The way you honor the intelligence, hard work, and dignity of all those with whom you are working is inspiring. I am lucky to know you and glad to learn from you in this journey we are all on.

Good Luck my friend and keep up the good work!

I also think there was a HUGE celebrity factor to being on a panel at SXSW. It might have even been unnerving. You are not the only panelist I have seen practically ripped to shreds because someone didn’t like what they said on one day on one panel in five minutes without looking into them further. We have google, it’s not that hard to read up on something before judging. I worry that next year the quality of panelists may go down due to fear of an exaggerated level of scrutiny.

I’m sure this debate has been challenging both personally and professionally (I would take it a little personally!) and I’m sorry. I think this post handles the issues raised with poise, grace and a solid and deeper explanation. I only hope that people READ it all. Would love to retweet for you (@ShannonAronin) if you send me a tweet.

PS: My next post will be up later this evening. Please stop by and check it out! Thanks.