It seems as if every time Africa is brought up in the media, there are always images of hungry children with swollen bellies, surrounded with flies and walking bare feet. And if it's not the hunger, then it's a civil war or a rebellion showing despicable images of torture and random killings...always a negative image, why is the media portraying the ugliest side of the African continent?
It’s true that there problems in Africa like any other continent, but it just seems to me that whenever that region is brought up in the media, it just leaves you very depressed if you're African or very turned off from visiting Africa if you're American or European/Asian. The reality is once this documentary or this report shows you the worst areas in Africa, then it would take another documentary showing all the beautiful places in Africa to revert the effects of the first "bad" portrayal...but the problem is no media outlet does that.
It’s not that am defending my continent blindly, what I'm saying is based on real facts and anyone can verify this information in this internet age. You will agree with me that poverty is everywhere...let it be in Asia, America, Europe etc you will always find several classes of populations. Granted that poverty is more frequent in the African continent, but there is also a middle-class in Africa with very acceptable life standards. But the way the media works, I think am absolutely right in saying that success stories are promoted by their protagonists. Add to that the Western media concept of “bad news is good news”, the drama and conflict required in a story to be published or broadcast, and it’s clear that the positive image of Africa still has a long battle to fight. But is it really the way to go?
Not everything is bad and scary. There are paved streets and airports, fantastic resorts and hotels, great restaurants, movie theaters in Africa. Not everyone is starving in Africa and no, you won't run across a lion in the center city, there's running water, electricity... Some of you may already know this because you travelled there or just know because you are informed, but too many are still unaware of the real picture of Africa.
The real problems in Africa are the infrastructures: some of the roads in the cities and regions are in terrible shape, so it is smart to drive a SUV or a 4x4 vehicle when visiting and bring some mosquito repellent with you if you decide to visit.
The unfortunate consequence of the tarnished image of Africa is that it has created a discomfort about being connected to Africa from African-Americans and Africans.
It is sad that many folks from African descent would deny their heritage because of the stereotypes and images portrayed to represent Africa. Black people should not let the media guide their opinions of the world, this opinion should be based on more realistic facts and personal experience.
We must voice our opinions and let our voices be heard, at last!
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