Africa Is Not A Jungle Of Wild Illiterates

When most people living in other continents especially in the West hear the word “Africa”, what comes to mind is a continent that’s still a jungle with wild, illiterate, backward people traipsing about.

Africa is one of the continent in the world divided into; West Africa, East Africa, North Africa and South Africa. Africa is a unique blend of people with different cultures, traditions and languages. They’re people who are warm hearted with a large heart and at the same time loyal. They’re also accommodating.

They’re widely known for these qualities. But what most people living in other continents don’t really know is that African has a continent, is full of intelligent, diligent, hardworking and educated people most times with outstanding I.Qs. Yes, you heard right, educated, and with an excellent I.Qs to boot. Africa also consists of countries with good roads, good drinking water, schools, good healthcare systems, universities, fantastic tourist sites and INTERNET CONNECTION (surprised?).

For me, it has been a constant source of disappointment when I see people ignorant of what’s really happening in Africa. I'm Nigerian and most people automatically assumed I am just an uneducated lady or an illiterate. I registered at a writing sites few years ago (I was a teen then) and a girl few years older than me from the West asked me this question “wow, your command of English is so good for one so young. How did you know to write so well in English?”. Since she knew I’m from Nigeria, I answered; “of course, I speak and understand English. I went to school in Nigeria (duh)”. She clarified her question further “Oh, I thought you studied abroad like in the UK or US. I thought people in Nigeria do not have sound education”. I was really surprised by her level of ignorance. What language should be my second language if not English? I told her that her thoughts are misconceptions. English language is our Lingual Franca, the mode of teaching students in schools. I don’t have to be a Nigerian living abroad to be able to speak good English!. Another encounter was on social media, precisely Facebook where one lady condescendingly stated “your from Nigeria. Their backwards no wonder there English is bad”. I nipped that in the bud and told her to correct her sentences before correcting the English of someone from a backward country. Recently on YouTube, a lady was explaining a very simple term – meaning of Q&A – it would have been a normal response from her except she had to pair it with “explaining it because most people watching this video are from Nigeria in Africa and they won’t know what Question and Answer sessions meant”! Not only is it ignorant but it’s condescending! She assumed because we are Nigerians, Africans, we don’t know what Questions and Answers mean? Or did she mean they don’t understand English language at all bearing in mind it’s Nigeria’s official language? These may seem harmless to some people but to us, we know it is insulting and condescending. It means the way Africa is seen and perceived by the world has not changed much even though the centuries have changed.

Who’s to be blamed for these? Personally, the major blame rests on mainstream media who showcase Africa in the poorest light. They showcase Africa to the other Continents and the world in general as a Continent with no peace, no electricity, the children starved with no good clothing and roofs over their heads, no good food, and the major part, that Africa is a jungle full of slums!!!. Authors especially authors of fiction are not helping matters at all. I’ve read lots of novels and while they were interesting, emotionally engaging, thrilling and full of suspense, when Africa is mentioned, it is mentioned sometimes in a derogatory manner as “some godforsaken Africa” or “the poverty-stricken Continent where no one from other continent wishes to go”. If Europe and America have evolved from the days of dukes, barons, courtesans, ball gown with constricting contraptions, then Africa has come a long way. Maybe the Authors need to be reminded that their readers consist of Africans living in Africa. While there’s is no denying every country has its own share of the underprivileged living in poor conditions, it doesn’t mean the whole country as a whole live that way. Yes, Africa still have a long way to go but Africa is renowned for having geniuses. Even when they study abroad, they leave their mark. They make impact. Africa has doctors, lawyers, nurses, engineers, teachers, lecturers, professors, etc. And entrepreneurs who have made a name for themselves starting from scratch and craving a niche for themselves. Africa is full of strong, competent women who are entrepreneurs, career women and at the same time manage their homes. African women are called “SUPER WOMEN”. Africa has countries with good roads, good internet connection and good educational system. Various countries in Africa have unique and scenic spots. African cuisines are superb, delicious and full nutrients.

The mainstream media should stop portraying Africa has a jungle and show both the bad and good side of the Continent not the bad side alone. People from other continents especially the West should do more research and visit Africa before making ignorant guesses. We Africans should also continue to be proud of our heritage, our culture, our language and especially our mode of dressings. Never let anybody put you down just because you’re Africans.

Below are a few pictures to illustrate my points. So next time you’re looking to visit a continent, choose Africa. Invest in Africa.