African American Culture

If my roommate had made such statements about Africa out of ignorance, I would not be surprised. Many Americans have preconceived ideas about what Africa is like, despite never being immersed in its culture. This is perpetuated through media outlets such as movies, magazines, etc. in popular culture. As outsiders, we make generalizations and think that Africa is a land of starvation, desert, poverty, and many other negative aspects. However, our thoughts could not be more wrong. Africa is a wonderful place, but is under negative judgment by many people who lack the knowledge to understand the continent. Many of these notions can be disproved with just a small amount of research. This kind of judgment is simply not fair, and Africa deserves …show more content…
This is because of exoticism. Magazines, movies, and even publications like National Geographic display the more unique sides of Africa simply because it is more entertaining. This exotic portrayal allows the viewers of this material to generalize and believe that all these exotic qualities are the standard in African culture as a whole. For example, the same type of misconception happens regarding American culture as well. Many people that are not familiar with the American lifestyle assume that sex is extremely easy to come by. This belief originates from American movies and the popular culture that other countries are exposed to. The exotic and entertaining parts of America are rooted in sex and scandalous behavior, and many people in other countries think that this is standard behavior in our country. The exotic parts of Africa like the animals and rituals that certain cultures perform are the qualities of Africa that viewers like best. This is because it is entertaining and interesting. Unfortunately, the generalization that comes from the exposure of exotic Africa hurts the African culture as a whole. Africa is seen as a primitive continent because of the entertaining and exotic factors shown on television and in magazines. Africa is actually a very modern country with generally normal behavior. Many African people live in civilized societies, but that is …show more content…
This word is an inaccurate word to use while talking about Africa. The word implies that the members of the community are uncivilized. This is not an accurate representation of Africa. Contrary to popular belief, there are no actual tribes in Africa. This word is one of the most misused words in the discussion of the topic of Africa. These small African communities, which people refer to by the incorrect use of the word “tribe,” are represented inaccurately. The small communities in the continent of Africa are more advanced than they are portrayed in the media. The modern people of Africa would be appalled to hear themselves referred to as “tribes” because of all of the strides they have made to stop the negative connotations associated with Africa. After learning all about the actual qualities of Africa, I would certainly be upset by an ignorant statement concerning the continent. Countries in Africa are constantly fighting negative perceptions, and it does hurt them economically. African people have an extremely interesting history that rivals the history of many other civilizations, and that quality alone deserves recognition. Whether it is through media, popular culture, or word of mouth, the negative voices that are incorrectly labeling Africa need to be