Misconceptions about the Continent

What is it about a continent which is usually seen as a country in other parts of the world? Never has a continent as a whole been more falsely perceived.

Sometimes, I seriously think it is a deliberate act on the part of the Northern media. You know the drill; bring others down so as to feel better about yourself, even when it means telling half-truths or outright lies.

At other times, I think it is just a calculated ploy on the part of most of these international aid organizations à la UNICEF/Red Cross to garner as many donations as possible from unsuspecting citizens by constantly broadcasting out of date pictures of African misery in order to spark compassion and/or pity and hopefully a readiness to help out others who find themselves in less fortunate circumstances.

Or could it be simply ... I don't know what to call it, unwillingness, or is it laziness, on the part of the so-called developed world's educational system to include courses on Africa in their curriculum? I cannot tell. Sometimes, I like to think it is just sheer folly. Cos it just boggles the mind what usually comes out from the mouth of some Europeans (actually, the first case below happened in America).

I mean, you see someone would come up and ask you (feeling like they should be patted on the back for even showing interest) who the president of Africa is. Like are you kidding me? Is one not supposed to have learned in form 1 Geography that there are 7 continents, Africa being one of them? Since when did continents start having presidents? I can only presume, this particular one didn't go to school at all, or he slept through his Geography/History lessons.

Or you see, someone will come up to you, having that all-knowing look on his face and ask, in Africa there is not much to eat is there? Or people are very poor, right? Why the hell do you even bother to ask me if you already know it all? I cannot count how many times, I stress, what part of Africa are you talking about? Africa is a continent you know, a very large one at that, a lot larger than Europe, and very diverse too. I cannot answer your question until you specify what exact region of Africa you are referring to and even then I may not know the answer, if I
don't happen to come from that part of Africa.

Or my all-time favourite, 'How come you speak so well?' Blank.Fucking.Stare. I beg your pardon? How come I speak so well you ask? What did you expect? Us Africans to be grunting and pointing as a means of communication? Or did you mean, how come I speak German/French/English/Dutch so well, after having lived here for only X number of years? So because, even after countless corrections on how to pronounce my name correctly, you still can't get it right, you find it surprising that not only can I pronounce your name near to perfect, I can also hold a conversation in your language, even though it is my third or even fourth language. How about that? My goodness can a people be so full of self-importance?

Another favourite topic of mine. Hunger in Africa. Was in the canteen the other day with colleagues and lo and behold, the dreaded topic came 'Africa'. In this particular case, the hot topic was on food being thrown away. One colleague gleefully related how when his 3-year old daughter refuses to eat her food, he promptly reminds her that there are millions of poor children in Africa who have nothing to eat and who would be ecstatic about being in her place right now. What warped logic. I promptly asked him, what difference it makes if there are millions in Africa or elsewhere (his country included) who have nothing to eat. Will it change the fact that the child is not hungry at that point in time and that nothing short of forcing the food down her throat will make her eat (in which case she may end up throwing up the food), or does he really think a 3-year old gives a rat's ass about the plight of others in the world? Wouldn't a more viable solution be to instead make smaller portions for the child so you won't have to throw away left-overs and as such rid yourself and your child of guilt?

Or how about this dude, bursting with self-importance, who once said to me, in fact boastfully announce that he doesn't know zilch about Africa, it is really the dark continent huh? Trust me, I do not spare such, I give it to them good. Ignorance is really bliss. I told him point blank that the light in Africa is there for all to see, only, he chooses not to see it. That is his problem not mine and more fool he. It is his loss not mine, that I know so much about them and their ways in addition to what I already know about where I come from, whereas he knows little or nothing about me and other cultures foreign to his. I tell you ignorance is a bad thing. The only thing that can top it is to be ignorant and refuse to acknowledge that you are.

Or when I was once stopped by a complete stranger on the University campus and asked if I knew a certain Joe. A little puzzled, I asked
'Joe who?'.
'Errm ..', embarrassed chuckle, '... I really can't remember his last name. That was like 10 years ago. But he comes from Africa!'
Clap for yourself, you have done very well. So because this Joe, which by the way you met 10 years ago, comes from Africa, I should automatically know him, since Africa is like one big village where we are all on first name basis and everybody knows everyone, eh? What else do you call this if not the height of stupidity?

I understand that one cannot know everything, but seriously, the so-called developed nations have to start taking responsibility for the education of their people. That particular responsibility shouldn't have to fall on my shoulders.

These are just a few of my own experiences. It doesn't even come close to what I've heard from other friends far and wide.

A friend once told me how she and her boyfriend were taking a leisurely walk around the city centre, while eating their ice cream and totally oblivious to the world, when this old woman stopped them and proceeded to ask them if they have something like that in Africa. She then went on to determine that they must be feeling like they had died and gone to heaven here in Europe, for if they were in Africa, they would not be enjoying themselves as they are doing now.

Or how about the other friend who, sitting in German Language class, was asked by a fellow student if she had ever killed anyone? Think child soldiers in war-torn parts of Africa, or anywhere in the world for that matter. Mind you the girl in question was not from a war-torn country, but who cares? From Africa? Same difference!

There are many more instances; enough to fill a book, but I won't bore you all with a super long post. So over to you readers. Do you have any experiences to share? Just drop a note in the comments section.