Oh, the Internets, how they come back to bite us.
After the Kony 2012 video went so viral that even tween Justin Bieber fans were talking about African warlords and child soldiers, Invisible Children, the charity responsible for the campaign, achieved insta-stardom.
But then came the slacktivism critique, allegations of misuse of funds, and charges that the organization had a white-savior complex.
A good series of discussions about Western aid to Africa and activism online ensued, but then the story got all tabloidy again when Invisible Children co-founder Jason Russell had a very public meltdown.
Now, a new video has emerged, showing Jedidiah Jenkins, the "director of ideology" for Invisible Children, talking to the camera after "winning a million dollars." Invisible Children received $1 million after winning the Chase Community Giving Contest on Facebook. (There's an interview here with Jenkins defending the Kony 2012 campaign.)
Swigging what appears to be vodka, and seemingly drunk, he jokes about keeping $900,000 for himself. "Get on the bandwagon, heeeey. Africa is going to come up in the world," he slurs.
According to TMZ:
A source connected to Invisible Children says the video is a joke that Jedidiah recorded and posted on a private YouTube page right after the group won the prize. We're told the bottle was filled with water, not vodka.
It does look kind of like a joke, but probably not a very welcome one for Invisible Children right now.