I spent the first half of my life biased against a whole continent because of ignorant, racist, and demoralizing stereotypes of Africa and its people. When my parents told me I would be attending high school in a small country in South-Eastern Africa I had never heard of, I locked myself in my room for two days. I refused to eat, speak, or make eye contact. But, after spending four years in Zambia, I am embarrassed by my behavior. Africa is a continent made of 54 diverse countries; basing your knowledge on such a large percentage of the world’s population solely on stereotypes is infuriating.
The media paints Africa as a place rampid with bloated bellied children licking red dirt for drops of moisture while fighting off starvation, AIDs, and genocide. Thanks to Fox News, BBC, and CNN, Africa is portrayed as a dry, scary, dark land which can only be saved by the white man. Contrastingly, little to no people focus on Africa’s lush green forests, deserted white sand beaches, or sharply carved mountains. Few recognize Africa as an entertainment hotspot, a rapidly growing economy, or a preservation wonderland. Yes, many cities suffer from power outages, corruption, and drought, but just like Americans hate to be type-casted as rednecks, Africans, too, feel the emotional burden of generalizations.
I can’t speak for all of Africa – unfortunately I haven’t visited all 54 of its countries- but I can advocate for small parts of Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. For instance, Tanzania is known for its safari industry, but not many people know about its picturesque coast with beaches that could put Thailand to shame. Also, South Africa is viewed as a country where rapists rule the streets but it is still safer than Detroit. The same thing can be said for the other six African countries I have visited. I wish the media would highlight the accomplishments and hidden gems in Africa instead of putting the spotlight on the struggles of its people.
From a socio-economic scope, Lusaka, Zambia, opposes most assumptions about African wealth, culture, and development. Even though some neighborhoods in Lusaka lack running water, internet connection, and access to proper nutrition, most Zambians live a non-stereotypical, middle to upper-class lifestyle. When I first drove past mansions with wrap-around decks and infinity pools, accented with fluorescent flowers and perfectly landscaped gardens, I couldn’t believe I was in Africa and not Beverly Hills. Even those below the poverty line are extremely jovial, excited, and warm individuals. In my neighborhood, the maids, gardeners, and guards could be heard singing, laughing, and teasing each other from 4:30 am to midnight. I have never encountered such a genuinely happy group of people in my life. Finally, even though Lusaka’s skyline lacks buildings taller than four stories, I can confirm there are, in fact, paved roads, air-conditioned grocery stores, movie theaters, and most surprisingly, homes made of brick and concrete instead of mud. Africa may not be as developed as most of the world, but that doesn’t mean everyone is running around in lion skin diapers and spears. Come on, guys, this is not a cartoon.
The countless racist comments I have heard from people who have never been to Zambia, much less any other African country are extremely frustrating. Too often countries in Africa are grouped together as one and associated with poverty, disease, and primalism. Africa is so much more than its economy, politics, and health care. Africa is not a country, but 54 diverse, blooming, stunning, and successful environments.