Welcome to African Fashion and Lifestyle Blog: AFRICA IS NOT A COUNTRY

There are 54 states on the continent of Africa, yet the western media, Hollywood celebrities, Producers and script writers etc still refer to the continent as a country.

I am always disturbed by these mixup any time I hear it listening to news, seeing a foreign movie or watching a talk show. “In Africa”, which country? I always wonder.

Apart from western media, most world renowned leaders are also guilty of this misinformation, for example “Bill Clinton” once twitted (@billclinton) Just touchdown Africa with @Chelseaclinton. @clintonfdn project …July 31, 2013.

“Donald Trump” Every penny of the $7 billion going to Africa as per Obama will be stolen - corruption is rampant! 1 July 2017

"Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease. “former U.S President George W. Bush, during a speech in Göteborg, Sweden on June 14, 2001.

“Going to Africa”. Hope I don't get AIDS, Just Kidding. I'm White!' Justine Sacco PR representative of IAC.

Many western public figures and journalist don’t have problem describing someone from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana or South Africa as Africans, but they probably won’t call them Americans if they were from Brazil etc “the guardian”.

However, many first world leaders haven't figured out that Africa isn't a country? No wonder their general Public follow suit. Ebola, Wars, HIV, and all other negative stereotypes does not describe African countries and her continent, there are other side to the continent.

The boy pictured above is representing the many stereotyped African's face. The ignorant stereotype, and cliché idea of Africa. In my Elementary school days, I learnt a rhyme which thought me about the seven continent in the world; African inclusive and the various names of the countries in each continent, same goes for every growing child to some very large extent across various countries in Africa.

I sometimes ask myself why foreigners claim to know a lot About Africa when of a truth they know so little about Africa, and yet act as though poverty and war is all to learn about. If only we were to defy the stereotypes, we could create a world of equality and understanding. Just as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie a Nigerian storyteller and novelist stated in a presentation at the TEDTalk I just watched on the danger of a single story, "When we reject the single story, when we realize that there is never a single story about any place, we regain a kind of paradise."

On that note I will say Africa is more than just a stereotyped single story as perceived by foreigners but a Continent engulfed by different countries with diverse culture and tradition.

FACTS ABOUT AFRICA

Africa is not a land filled with diseases

Africa is not defined by poverty

Africa is a continent made up of various countries

Africans are not primitive or backward

African is not a language

Africans are not untamed and wild

African women have fought as many battles as African men.

Africans don’t need to be saved

Africans do not all look alike

African leaders are not all dictators

Africa is not hopeless