Many in America are still ignorant on Africa After one hundred years of public education, fully-equipped libraries, public television, and internet access to every bit of information on this planet, Americans are left still with the impression that Africa amounts to little more than heat and killing. As a professor of African history, my life is devoted to educating Americans about actual Africa. I believe that, as white people, we are capable of shaking our default setting. Once conscious of whiteness, default change is possible. Being white is not a natural condition; it is an unconscious state. Once the white lose their whiteness, they can see the rest of the world as populated by human beings living full lives. ............................................................................................. Me: “But why use Africa to communicate wasteland? Have you never heard of Siberia?” White Lady: “But Africa is desolate.” Me: “Have you been to Africa? Africa is fertile and green and lush and lovely.” White lady: “Parts are lush, but much is desolate.” Me: “Have you never been to the Arizona desert?” White: “There’s so much killing in Africa.” Me: “Have you been to Newtown or Boston lately?” White lady: “I read about the rape of 80-year-old women!” Me: “I grew up with that in Washington DC.” White lady: “But in Africa, there is systematic killing and rape.” Me: “You don’t remember the wars in Yugoslavia?” - Kathryn Barret-Gaines Kafeero (researcher on African history)
Posted on: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 13:30:01 +0000
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