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Africa is not a country? Then stop treating it as one!

Politics

November 5th

Does Sarah Palin really think Africa is a country? Perhaps, but then again, our media treats it like a single entity rather than a diverse collection of nations.

Honestly, can most Americans identify an African issue and pinpoint it to a specific African nation or particular region? You will most likely to hear, African children are starving, Africans are poor, Africans are at war with each other, as if the whole continent is going to sink.

When most people think of Africa, do they think of the people as creole-speaking Hindus? Over $12500 GDP? How about Democratic multi-ethnic state? Would anyone be able to identify it as an African nation?

Based on our perception of the world, Africa might as well be a country.

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  • Sav

    You know, that’s actually a really good point. The U.S. media and culture generally does act as if Africa is a country. I wonder how many people can name more than one or two countries on the continent.

    Reminds me of the image I believe people think when they hear “United Nations”: benign, helpful collection of countries holding hands and helping impoverished children.

  • Sav

    You know, that’s actually a really good point. The U.S. media and culture generally does act as if Africa is a country. I wonder how many people can name more than one or two countries on the continent.

    Reminds me of the image I believe people think when they hear “United Nations”: benign, helpful collection of countries holding hands and helping impoverished children.