Stereotypes of Africa

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Stereotypes about Africa, Africans, and African culture are common, especially in the Western World.^[1][2] European imperialism was often justified on paternalistic grounds, casting Africa as less civilised, and Africans as less capable of civilising themselves.^{[3][4][5][6][7]} These stereotypes can still be seen in today's press.^[8][9]

History

Europe

Several countries, such as France and Portugal, tried to 'civilize' Africa by colonizing it.^[10][11][12]

Belgian cartoonist Hergé depicted Africans as childlike in Tintin in the Congo.^[13][14]

The

In the 19th century, scientific racists such as Josiah C. Nott and George Gliddon likened Africans to the non-human apes. This comparison was used to justify the former's inferior status.^[18][19][20]

Present

Asia

Japan sees Africa as a continent in need of help,^{[21][22][23][24]} as does China.^[25][26][27] In Chinese internet culture, unlucky or incompetent video game players are called 'Africans', a reference to the association of black faces with bad luck.^[28]

United States

In the United States, Africa is seen as primitive and full of disease.^[29][30] Africans are seen as peculiarly vulnerable to disease.^[31][32][33] Alternatively, Africa is seen as a sparsely-peopled jungle full of wild animals.^[34] American cinema is blamed for disparaging stereotypes of Africa. ^[35]

Australia

Australians often view Africa as primitive and homogeneous. This view is influenced by stereotypes of African Americans.^[36]

United Kingdom

Research by the British Council showed that from the perspective of young Britons, the African continent as a whole, is either idealised or demonised. Decades of images and stories in the news media and by charities highlighting themes including famine, drought, disease, inequality and instability have contributed to a perception of African countries as impoverished, dangerous, and lagging behind the rest of the world socio-economically and in terms of human rights. Factors commonly used to explain these issues included endemic local corruption, the historical and contemporary exploitation of Africa by foreign countries and private interests (including the UK and British companies), and the perceived remoteness and isolation of Africa relative to the rest of the world.^[37]

Themes

Environment

A common stereotype is that much or all of Africa is an inhospitable jungle or desert,^[38] inhabited only by wild animals.^[39] Alternatively, many believe that wild animals are ubiquitous and familiar, like domestic animals. Although Africa has many wild animals, among them big game animals, most Africans see them only in zoos and safaris.^[40][41]

Poverty

Africa is often considered primitive and impoverished.^[42][43] Though poverty exists in Africa, many countries have fast-growing economies.^[44]

Many people believe most Africans live "in a mud house in the middle of nowhere".^[40] Forty-three percent of Africans live in urban areas,^[45] slightly below the global average of 55%.^[46]

Technology

In

Africa is often mistaken for a single state.^[39][53][54] In fact, it is a continent with 54 states. This mistake can lead people to think all Africans belong to one ethnic group, or to apply disparaging stereotypes about one group to another.

Outsiders may believe that there is only one language, called 'African'. Africa in fact contains more than 1,000 languages.^[40] Swahili is the single most widely spoken indigenous African language.^[55]

References