Thread by @intldogooder

"The @WFP spokesperson told @Devex “...Some people find it inspirational & it motivates them to become committed supporters to the organisation.”

Bullshit. Donors do not find it inspirational. Their guilt, pity & shame are used like cash machines. devex.com/news/world-foo… /1

Must we say it about #povertyporn yet again?

Yes we must:

Charitable portrayals of “helping” often conjure up victimhood and passivity in order to validate the assistance being given. #devcomms #comms4dev #comms4good #fundraising /2

There is a growing awareness that these portrayals uphold - rather than counteract - historical, deeply colonial, and continually politicized notions of “the other.”

And it is not ok. /3

This #fundraising practice leads to reinforced narrative frames and deepened ignorance among the general public in rich countries, and perpetuated distorted & powerless stereotypes among people who are poor in formerly-colonized countries. #DevComms #Comms4Dev #aid #globaldev /4

Fundraisers and communicators, we CAN do this differently. And we must.

Learn more here, please: globalfundcommunityfoundations.org/news/changing-… /5

And here: issuu.com/howmatters/doc…

And here - ALL KINDS of resources on communicating social change in a new way: docs.google.com/document/d/1eg…

/6

And here: how-matters.org/category/dev-c…

#Nonprofits, #socialgood organizations, IT IS TIME to stop utilizing the private sector’s marketing toolbox.

Communications is no longer an “add-on” dept, beholden to the #fundraising function. It must be a full on organizational strategy. /7

So here's a primer on changing #narratives related to #globalhunger, #globalpoverty, or any issue rooted in deep inequality and structural injustice:

Narratives are the collective, implicit assumptions held by the larger society. /8

Narratives are found below any action/behavior - getting at people’s motivations and how they perceive the world.
The choices made often reflect rhetoric found in the political discourse, consciously or unconsciously, as dictated by society, culture, religion, family, etc. /9

Communicators in #globaldev, international #aid & #philanthropy, we either choose to uphold or challenge society’s existing narrative frames.

That is: So & so is poor + you give them $ = everything is ok now.

Guilt, pity, or shame vanquished with your donation!

Not ok. /10

You may hit your #fundraising goal @WFP, but people pay a price, and not just the people you portray in the photos.

No one is saying that hunger doesn't exist. That suffering isn't real. By no means should we let the world ignore that. /11

But to ignore how stereotypes, generalizations, victimization, exploitation, and heroism are exposed, challenged, and healed is irresponsible - at best! - at this stage of history. /12

We have an opportunity to persuade, influence, motivate & educate. When potential donors are coddled and/or prodded, e.g. read/watch this and give us $, rather than involving them as part of a greater collective effort, we change none of the conditions that cause suffering. /13

Globally-engaged citizens are looking for effective ways to affect change in a rapidly-changing and uncertain world.

Don't just manipulate them to “click,” but more importantly invite them to reflect on deeply-rooted and connected issues. They are more than wallet holders. /14

Donors are people with their own capacity to learn about what creates lasting change.

We CAN and MUST build narratives & share stories from a place of what it means to build thriving communities & families – around the world AND in our backyards. #TimeToConnectTheDots #aid /15