Africa Is Big

Really, it's a big place.
Bigger than published maps and the Western world lead us to believe. More diverse than what we see in Hollywood movies and Save The Children ads.

If you have visited one country, you have not visited them all. Just as Utah differs from Vermont, which differs from British Columbia and the Yukon. All on the same continent, may share some characteristics, but otherwise unique.

Sure. There is poverty on the continent of Africa. There is corruption. There is violence, ethnic and partisan conflict.

(Because we find NONE of these things in the United States, of course.)

These things are a problem, and should not be taken lightly.

But on this African continent, one can also find ingenuity, up-and-coming economies, entrepreneurial ventures, successful educational institutions, national pride, properly clothed children, posh bathroom facilities, the list goes on. Several African countries are becoming strong participants in the world economy. And while some countries do struggle with weak economies, political violence, failing governments, and the like, we tend to lop all the countries into one entity, hiding the good behind the not-so-good. GASP, it's Africa. A mythical place that only exists on maps and TV, harboring scary things and tormented people. A place that has no effect on us in the West besides producing the occasional stab of horror or pity. And lovely collectible art.

The only African history I was taught by the time I graduated high school was that "Way back when, Africans were sold as slaves to [self-entitled, disgusting] whites." Of course, as I've said before, as much as I try to like history, I usually end up falling asleep. But I did read my World History text book for homework, and I can positively say that there was nothing else about Africa in there. And it's not just history. If any attention is paid to this continent in the news, it's almost entirely negative. I mean, personally, my Current Events teacher spent more time on Alien Invasion than World Happenings. But I'm thinking that was just my school. You know, not in the intended curriculum.

Anyway, I think that is stupid. Not about the aliens, I mean about the national disregard for African countries as separate entities and legitimate players in worldly affairs. Actually both are stupid.

No seriously.

Why ignore a whole continent? And if this can't be rationalized from a moral standpoint, how about an economic one. Obviously I am not an economist, but I feel like the West is ignoring what could potentially broaden the playing field for foreign trade. China is on board with investing in African countries, people, so let's get on it.

(If this blog was read by more conservative people, I would expect some off putting comments about commies about now. But I know those people would also shit a brick if/when China surpasses the US in economic growth. So, all I'm saying is let's catch up with the times here, folks.)

Now, I don't kid myself that this post is a.) a wholly original thought and b.) interesting for most people. I mean maybe a few people might read this and give an excited face in agreement before they get bored and go read an article on Upworthy. That's all I can hope for.

So, if you're still reading, thank you. And I promise I'm almost finished.

Africa is big. And diverse. In some places it is scary and unjust (not always a pleasant place to live, yes.),  but in others it is a place of opportunity. Africa cannot be summed up in a movie, unfortunately it's problems will not be solved if you text #AID to 444, and it definitely should not be discarded into a hypothetical trench of unchangeable destitution and misfortune.

This First World-Third World paradigm seems to somehow negate the existence of Africa in the Real World, and it's dumb. It's not like Middle Earth. Africa and North America are in the same realm and on the same planetary mass.

Before I get too out of control here, friends, I will end with this.

There are a few things in life that are simple. Simple, such as a child's innate love of dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets.

But how we see and interpret and understand the world? Not so simple. You and I, though, let's try to give this big, crazy, complex continent it's due, eh?

Now hold my soapbox, please, as I've got to get back to talking the usual rubbish.