How to Write About Africa

The article “How to write about Africa” by Binyavanga Wainaina addresses all clichés writers and journalists use when they write about Africa. As humorous as the article may sound to some people it contains a degree of truth. This article is a must read because most of the preconceptions that he discusses are still visible in today’s media although strides have been made in addressing some of these stereotypes.

An excerpt from the article reads, “Always use the word 'Africa' or 'Darkness' or 'Safari' in your title. Subtitles may include the words 'Zanzibar', 'Masai', 'Zulu', 'Zambezi', Victroria Falls` 'Congo', 'Nile', 'Big', 'Sky', 'Shadow', 'Drum', 'Sun' or 'Bygone' Zimbabwe. Also useful are words such as 'Guerrillas', 'Timeless', 'Primordial' and ‘Tribe’/'Tribal'. Note that 'People' means Africans who are not black, while 'The People' means black Africans”.

It is no wonder that ‘Congo’ and ‘Zimbabwe’ are one of the most mentioned countries in Africa when you ask one to state countries in Africa. When most people hear the word ‘tribe’ or ‘tribal’ they automatically assume that whatever they are watching or reading is about Africa. ‘Tribe’ no matter how it is used always seems to have a negative connotation about it. Based on definitions of a ‘tribe’ and ‘ethnic group’, it makes me wonder why a large group of about or more than a million Yorubas’ are referred to a tribal group in the media.

Another passage from the article reads, “In your text, treat Africa as if it were one country. It is hot and dusty with rolling grasslands and huge herds of animals and tall, thin people who are starving. Or it is hot and steamy with very short people who eat primates. Don't get bogged down with precise descriptions. Africa is big: fifty-four countries, 900 million people who are too busy starving and dying and warring and emigrating to read your book. The continent is full of deserts, jungles, highlands, savannahs and many other things, but your reader doesn't care about all that, so keep your descriptions romantic and evocative and unparticular. Make sure you show how Africans have music and rhythm deep in their souls, and eat things no other humans eat. Do not mention rice and beef and wheat; monkey-brain is an African's cuisine of choice, along with goat, snake, worms and grubs and all manner of game meat. Make sure you show that you are able to eat such food without flinching, and describe how you learn to enjoy it—because you care”.

After reading this passage all that I could think about was Tarzan and George of the Jungle even the Jungle Book(although it takes place in India). This article to me is one of “the realest things ever wrote”. It is the truth which we laugh about and ignore. I might be wrong but I still see evidence today which makes me believe that the satire of this 1976 article still lingers on. The taboo subject of writing or reporting about Africa still remains. Binyavanga Wainaina writes, “Taboo subjects: ordinary domestic scenes, love between Africans (unless a death is involved), references to African writers or intellectuals, mention of school-going children who are not suffering from yaws or Ebola fever or female genital mutilation” (Oprah’s school in South Africa is an example).

This is how I feel, you may think different. However you feel about this post, please voice your opinions because I want to know if I am the only one who thinks like this.

Signed
-Gilbert "Koncious Konscience"

This is Twese

Twese" means Unity in Rwandese. With its inception in 1991, Twese, the Organization of African Students and Friends of Africa was established as a haven for students with African interests, and as an avenue to better educate the entire Rutgers community on African issues. These goals have been achieved through various activities and events. Generally, Twese's regular meetings are the most efficient means by which issues on Africa and Africa in the Diaspora can be discussed and debated. The special events are used as other means of creating awareness among the Rutgers community.

Twese also presents opportunities for students to meet with their peers and establish relationships that go beyond their college experience. In addition, the alumni network is very strong and come from a diverse background of work with Fortune 500 companies. From financial support to job recruiters, these graduated members help out extensively in our community.

Twese's membership is open to the entire community. There is a semester due charge of $5, which allow for reduced admission fees to certain events, free transportation to any TWESE-sponsored event