Natividad, Timothy John B.

ID # 11105976

ACETHIC K31

02 December 2014

Reaction Paper "How To Write About Africa"

Africa, as we all know, is considered to be one of the less
developed areas of the world. Many are undernourished and
impoverished. This is despite the high human capital of the
continent 900 million people in 54 African countries, and the
rich natural features of the continent. To add, Africa is also
unfortunately associated with diseases such as Ebola and AIDS
just because many of those afflicted with these came from that
continent. Besides, there are practices common to people living
Africa that some call "backward" or "primitive" or "uncivilized"
such as eating primates and female genital mutilation (although
this one I already consider improper). However, I feel that the
point of the article we've read is that we should avoid
stereotyping but instead we should find and appreciate the
positive and happy things despite everything. I believe that the
author of the text wrote that article in order to 'correct' or
'balance' everything negatively written or perceived about
Africa. The article wants to point out the vibrant culture of the
Africans that they have sought to preserve despite the hardships
many of them have been undergoing. In the fourth paragraph, it
points out to the Africans' general love for music. Certainly,
music is something that appeals to a lot of people, it is able to
sooth us, myself included. In addition, Africans may eat foods
that we are not accustomed to such as primates, snakes, worms,
and the like. I believe that the author wrote 'do not mention
rice' because by doing so it seems that there is something being
'imposed' on Africans with regards to what they ought to eat and
so. The author also stated that "Africa is the only continent you
can lovetake advantage of this". He compared the continent to
man-woman relationships.

The author also spoke of Africa being "pitied, worshipped,

or dominated". Just recently I have stumbled in the internet
something about pity. Sometimes pity is being used in order to
prevent the people and the countries in that continent from truly
progressing. Besides, I remember that in our previous subjects
last term it had been mentioned that African countries were
rather prevented from progressing since many of them, whose
resources had been pillaged by their Western colonizers, were
subjected to onerous, pro-Western economic policies once they
attained independence. Until now things are still difficult for
them. Meanwhile, Mr. Binyavanga Wainaina also mentioned about
characters ranging from naked warriors and loyal servants to
corrupt politicians and prostitutes. We are not strangers to the
latter two. I also saw something about the "Modern African"
somebody who is corrupt and anti-development. Sometimes Filipino
officials may be the same. The mention of the 'starving African',
'people look filthy' and 'dead bodies on the street' are those
that might have struck me. There are instances where these are
being used to get the sympathy of the people. Yes, negative
stories are written about Africa, but what next? While pity is
not necessarily bad, the sympathy towards Africans should be
turned instead into something that will concretely and truly
benefit Africans and not those with seemingly vested interest in
projects that are intended for Africa. Basically, the author
wanted the people's general perception about Africa to change and
be changed. There should somehow still be pride in Africa on the
part of the people living in that continent. By that, they will
truly know who they are. I think it is truly important to have
pride in one's identity and culture. And for the author to speak
about Nelson Mandela in the end shows that the latter has truly
contributed to the Africans' pride and identity. We all know what
he had been through before he finally became successful.