I have been living here for a long time and I still get some of the weirdest and disrespectful questions about Africa. I am not angry at the people who ask the questions but I have to set the record straight. So, let’s go…
You don’t have to be college educated to know that Africa is a continent. There is more than 50 countries on the continent so please and please, stop saying that Africa is a country.
Also, do not automatically assume that ALL Africans know each other. I have gotten that so many times. Someone would ask me where I am from, and when I say Mali, the person says ” Oh, I know a guy from Nigeria. He is tall, Black and a true survivor etc… “. Please, stop generalizing… It’s getting offending. A 45 year-old lady from Sandpoint, Idaho doesn’t have to know a 32 year-old guy from Albany, NY although they are all Americans! Get my point?
I know that most of the images shown by the media are about bloated African children with a runny nose dying of hunger or AIDS… But please, do your research if you truly care about us… For the people who have the opportunity, dig in your purses/pockets and go visit… Oh I forgot, it costs a LOT of money, huh? Then, stop asking me how I got here or telling me that you’ve seen on TV that we are all poor, dying from hunger, running naked 24/7, having wars, or living with lions and elephants…. One thing is sure, if the ambassador of the U.S. in my country is not living with giraffes and tigers, be sure that I am not either!
Some parts of the continent are poor. We are all aware of it, and thanks to all the developed countries trying to “help us”. But, it is just like in the U.S. Some people sleep in a million dollar house while others live in projects, killing one another like chickens!
So, the next time you see an African, instead of being rude or judgmental… look at him/her and have a decent conversation ( just like you would if that person was a German or Australian).
Thanks!
DJ's CORNER 
gal you really sound mad at those ppl. It’s not their fault, they are narrow-minded. They don’t think outside the box. Most of them have not been abroad so they don’t know much about the rest of the world.
That right Sister! Tell Them! LOL
Hey sister, you have a point, I feel your pain, but I also believe that some Americans feel and act that way because they get derogatory comments from some Africans who are not proud of their roots. I have come accross some Africans who feel the need to put down Africa and/or Africans in order to gain some type of pity or help from Americans. Even though there is poverty in Africa and wars in some countries,we work hard with our heads up because we know our culture and most of us care about one another. Before blaming those Americans, we need to look at ourselves and see what we are doing wrong when representing our continent.
Wow. You sure told them… The media does a pretty good job misrepresenting what is going on over there. The bottom line is that every story has two sides (believe sometimes even more), but people over here only see one side, the bad one. With that said, please embrace Djebou’s advice and take the time to listen and learn before making ridiculous assumptions about Africa.
lol u go girl ! tell them like it is .