How to Change Negative African Stereotypes
The life of an African can be viewed in many angles and the narrative is not singular.
I remember being in New York at around twelve years of age and being surprised by the questions my classmates asked me.
Some asked whether I lived in houses.
Some asked whether I had access to schools.
Some have wondered if I have access to the internet and technology.
It was clear to me then that my classmate's questions were based on preconceived notions and common misconceptions of what they understood about Africans.
This misconception is that Africa equates to all-round poverty and this is due to many factors.
One is that of the global media and how they depict what it means to be an African and life in an African nation.
The other is that of how people commonly speak about the African nation and its people.
Then, there is also the content we consume and how that impacts how we view Africans.
For misconceptions and negative stereotypes about Africans to stop, we have to address several points.
1: Media Should Portray Different Environments & Lives
Often in the global media, poverty is what is most depicted in African nations. There is a big spotlight on environments that depict people who are ill and suffering.
As a Nigerian living in Nigeria, I don’t deny that there is poverty in African nations and humanitarian aid is often needed. Yes, that is true. However, it is not the only narrative that exists within the country.
There are different lives that are lived in my country Nigeria. Some people live wealthy and comfortable lives.
It’s important that there be a balance when depicting African nations because one would be quick to assume that poverty is all there is.
We must therefore portray different scenes and people when we tell the stories of African people.
2: Continue to Highlight More Diverse Voices
I appreciate that the media has been highlighting more prominent African people and telling their stories.
You’d see CNN have ‘‘African Voices’’ where they spotlight the great work being done by African creatives and entrepreneurs.
This needs to be emphasized more.
We need people to continue to highlight Africans who are doing great work.
This matters because it changes the narrative of what Africans are doing in their country.
3. Let Africans tell Their Own Stories through More Books and Movies
Africans must start telling their own stories more.
This is important because when we seek stories from African nations, there can be a bias if a foreigner tells their story only.
If they tell you only one perspective.
It matters to sit down with the locals and listen to what they have to say.
Let them express themselves and address what they believe to be true and false about their country.
When we allow Africans to tell their own story, we get a more holistic view rather than the angle of one individual.
One of the ways for Africans to tell their own stories is by having more books published by African authors discussing life and their experiences in the African nation.
Then, there’s having more movies that depict the lives of Africans.
When it comes to Nigeria, Nollywood does an excellent job of producing a lot of different genres of movies about Nigeria and its people.
We should therefore watch more from Nollywood and share with others.
4. Educate Ourselves about Africa’s History and its People
When I was a college student, as an English major, I took a course on African American Literature to read more about Black Literature and African writers.
To learn about its people, history and culture.
Therefore, another great way to change negative stereotypes about Africa and its people is for us to educate ourselves about Africa’s people.
This means we should read works by African authors.
This means we should get educated about Africa’s history, culture and its people.
5. Correct & Don’t Dismiss Misconceptions
When we hear people use the wrong terminology when addressing things, let’s correct it.
When someone says, ‘‘I’m travelling to Africa,’’ let’s not normalize that.
Let us correct that by addressing the fact that Africa consists of many countries, and it is not just one place on its own.
When people say that there aren’t forms of transportation, schools, or roads in African nations, let’s call out what is being done right and the progress being made in African nations.
Also, when people generalise negative realities about what some Africans might be doing like stereotypes about all Nigerians being scammers and hackers, let’s emphasize the positives of what Nigerians have done.
Let’s also be the change we want to see by upholding and conducting ourselves in ways that are morally right in society.
6. Call Out Racism
When I was a high school student in Mexico City, I was the only African/black person in my class and there was an American student who constantly liked to use the N-word as a form of fun with his peers.
I was often offended by it and had told him to stop. However, I would recognize that he would continue.
Back then, I wished there were more people who would have stood by me to also condemn him for using a racial slur.
When you call people out and condemn them for doing what is wrong, it highlights the gravity of the wrong they have done.
We shouldn’t be afraid to call out and condemn racism when we see it or hear it. We should always call it out.
7. Share Positive Narratives about Africans
In America, Black Americans have coined the term Black Excellence to highlight African Americans who are doing amazing things in their careers and industry.
There is also an African Excellence and that should be celebrated as often as possible.
We need to share more positive stories about Africans and their achievements and contributions to their homeland and abroad.
Let’s get loud about Black and African Excellence.
Final Thoughts
The life of an African can be viewed through many different lenses.
There are those who are thriving.
There are those who are building.
There are those who are getting by.
There are those who are struggling.
We can’t only rely on one narrative that states that all of Africa is poor or that all Africans are distrustful.
The negative stereotypes about Africans can be changed in many ways and one of which is by having media portray different perspectives and environments depicting Africans.
Then, we must let Africans tell their own stories about life in Africa.
Also, we must continue to highlight diverse voices, as well as change negative stereotypes about Africans and condemn racism.
Finally, to change negative stereotypes about Africa and it’s people, let’s continue to amplify the good about Africa.
Let’s continue to share stories of great work done by Africans and let’s immerse ourselves in the beauty of its culture, history and it’s people.
