Watch this video! Thoughts? Great parody?
Creative way to spread the message about sustainable income in the developing world?
Slightly exploitive in that way that only well-meaning people can be?
Uh…. too much use of “motherfucker” in a charitable appeal?
Visit the web site: iWantAGoat.com to read more about the project and donate goats. I’m about the bottom line, so I like things that raise money. Do I like this? I don’t know! I know hearts were in the right place.
Sometimes when I see young people back from a trip to the developing world showing off the obligatory “Photograph of ME, with the POOR!” I cringe with embarrassment squick.
As much as the producers claim the village participated in this project, they also note they’d never seen a video camera before – so is there context for informed consent?
How much of this is entertainment for us? Ie: Quick-zoom shots of poor people drinking water from tins, while some dude raps: “We eatin rice and dal / Cuz we aint rich / I’m pounding out some grain, chopping wood and shit / Carrying pots on my head damn you know I’m fit.” Dunno.
Take a good hard look at the motherfucking goat!
Uh, I made this blog on a PC. So it’s a bit crap. Like real people. 
How did I only see this now!?
Okay, so gotta admit…it was definitely awkward having to watch this video and I’ve been sitting here for awhile now trying to sort out how I feel but I’m kinda torn. Is it cool to be rapping and making a parody (albeit with good intentions) about poverty? Erm, I’m inclined to say no but at the same time…is it really that much different from those World Vision commercials? The ones that try to appeal to viewers by showing children in extreme poverty? Sure the tone of those commercials are a lot more serious and maybe (is this the right word?) compassionate but the goals and message are somewhat similar. Maybe it’s time to find a new approach that’ll resonate with today’s youth? Is this right way to do it? Ah! I don’t know.
Feeling perplexed now!
Good point about World Vision having similar visuals. I think what strikes me is that with the World Vision ads, they are intended to be the Western world’s portrait of the developing world.
They often have a voice-over explaining what you are watching, but it’s openly from Western spokesperson to Western viewer. It says: “Hey, you’re like me, will you join me in helping?”
In iWantAGoat’s case, it’s like these guys are speaking for the village, appropriating their voice and making it funny. It’s definitely meant to make fans of I’m On A Boat laugh, but I don’t get the feeling that the village is in on the joke when I watch it. Just leaves me uncomfortable somehow.
Like you, perplexed!
Very true about the Western spokesperson. Didn’t take that into consideration…I only looked at it in the viewpoint of using visuals of poverty.
I think anyone who’ll watch this vid would feel really uncomfortable…it’s definitely a different approach to tackling the issue. I guess the important question is did it work? Checked the website and it said 325 goats donated so far…would you consider that a success?
Hmmmm – metrics! The best way to know would be to make a rival Goat-theme appeal and test it? $6500 for the village is good news, of course.
Much prefer this goat-based appeal from FARM – Africa:
Pimp This Goat!
http://pimpthisgoat.tumblr.com/
£5.00 gets you a model goat. Pimp it up to your liking and take a pic!
Ah clever! Thanks for sharing, Claire
kinda makes me think that it’s just a hyper-extension of the commodification of philanthropy in general. It’s fun and harmless when it’s “send a goat” for oxfam but you can see how that concept could end up going a bit too far.
I’m happy to see it raised some money, but i’m not convinced it’s a great idea in the long run.
that’s my bit.