I believe that the way to go about addressing the issue of “Saving Africa” is by taking the middle ground between the Western media’s depiction of Africa and between Iweala’s viewpoint. I do not think that that people should stop sending over money, help, or spending their time on helping to improve the various problems in Africa. As members of the Earth, we should all join together to help each other out. The key notion that Iweala hints at is that the West needs to change its current philosophy on helping Africa. They need to reform the idea of “I am going to save Africa because I have what they lack” into “I am going to help Africa help itself”.
Iweala associates the reincarnation, of sorts, of anti-African racism from the days of colonialism into an emergence of western “Save Africa” campaigns. He says in his article "Stop Trying to Save Africa": "News reports constantly focus on the continent's corrupt leaders, warlords, "tribal" conflicts, child laborers, and women disfigured by abuse and genital mutilation. These descriptions run under headlines like "Can Bono Save Africa?" or "Will Brangelina Save Africa?"
While what Iweala is saying does exist, I still do not think that the correct way of fixing it is to just take the complete opposite standpoint.
I do not think it is completely fair to shut off the rest of the world if they are willing to help by questioning their motives. Does it really matter what their motives are, as long as they are putting forth some sort of effort to help at all? But it is very true that the West does need to reform our methods of addressing Africa. Iweala is correct in asking: “How is it that a former mid-level U.S. diplomat receives more attention for his cowboy antics in Sudan than do the numerous African Union countries that have sent food and troops and spent countless hours trying to negotiate a settlement among all parties in that crisis?” He points out that “Such campaigns, however well intentioned, promote the stereotype of Africa as a black hole of disease and death”. And this is true. When I searched ‘Africa’ on YouTube, all I got were various documentaries and depictions of starving, emaciated, or diseased people. Our media is completely biased in its reporting of Africa. I never hear about the African-based groups or efforts that are aimed at improving the situation from within. Films such as “Bamako” help us to realize that the intelligence, skills, and the will to “save” Africa already exists within Africa.
The West needs to somehow differentiate their “Save Africa” campaigns from yet another reassertion of the West and European powers domination over the globe. Are these campaigns another way of associating anything Non-West as evil, corrupt, savage, primitive, or backwards? Or are they out of good intentions with a humanitarian basis to help bring equality in all aspects (economic, health, etc) to the world?
I agree with Tahsina when she says, "They need to reform the idea of 'I am going to save Africa because I have what they lack' into 'I am going to help Africa help itself'." I also feel that the west has a big problem with thinking that they are better and stronger than many other countries, meanwhile we barely have a leg to stand on at the present moment. The West needs to stop, and think. They have aproblem with throwing money around to 'help' other countries that don't ask for it. And the ones that do ask for help, the west does what they want, not what the country needs. But as far as individuals go, such as Bono, I also agree with you. I don't think that's it's anyone's place to question their motives. They are donating their time, their effort, and their money into a cause that they believe in. I think foolish for people to go and try and judge their reasons, atleast their doing something, even at times I think they should be focusing more on the crisis of their fellow citzens at the present moment.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that you didn't toudh on, but I can't help but to mention it is the begining of Iweala's "Stop Trying to Save Africa." The part that actaully upset me was when he wrote, "Last fall, shortly after I returned from Nigeria, I was accosted by a perky blond college student whose blue eyes seemed to match the "African" beads around her wrists." It upset me how he describe the young women, trying to make her seem as white as possible, and than he continues his rant, "It seems that these days, wracked by guilt at the humanitarian crisis it has created in the Middle East, the West has turned to Africa for redemption." How does he know what this young girls, or any other college students motives are. Honestly their taking time out of their lives to help in the only way they know how, which is through protest. I'm sure this young woman doesn't have the money to help save Africa, so instead she's using her voice to let it be known. And he judges her for doing so? I do understnad where he's coming from with the whole "I am African" campaign. I think it's a little ridiculous, nif your not African don't say you are. I think it's demeaning. I think the West just really needs to get itself in check, they need to realize that their not the almighty being it makes itself out to be. And also, how can we help others when we can't even help ourself. We need to focus on getting America back on track, and than the rest of the world. Sometimes it's a good thing to be a little selfish.
I completely agree that we as a powerful country should not stop any type of aid that is provided for those places that are less fortunate. Unfortunately, because of the media’s fixation on all that is negative about Africa, that is precisely the thing that the people of this country is going to focus on themselves. I agree with you 110% when you say that the media’s depiction of Africa is completely biased. Because sadly, no matter how good our intentions might be, I believe that our government’s core priority is to maintain the message around the globe that we are the most powerful nation in the world.
ReplyDeleteThe situation between the West and Africa is an example of colonialism in its most modern day form. Iweala agrees with this idea in her article when she expresses that the viewpoint of the articles that are written about Africa today are “reminiscent of reports from the heyday of European colonialism, when missionaries were sent to Africa to introduce us to education, Jesus Christ and ‘civilization.’” She also gives an example of the phrases that are carefully constructed in a manner to essentially perceive the Africans as being weak; phrases such as “Keep a Child Alive/I am African.”
In order for there to be a hero in this world, there must be a victim. As disturbing as it may seem, (and this statement may offend some people) our government’s control over the media allows it to create its own heroic story, using the resources they need in order to glorify themselves. Sadly, this can affect the image and question the motives of celebrities and other high profile individuals who genuinely want to help. I also agree with you when you say that it is unfair to shut off the rest of the world if they are willing to help, but the questioning of motive with always come into play as long as things are manipulated and exposed by the media in a misleading manner.. Our knowledge of history and current events revolve around the things we watch on television and the many works of literature that have been compiled throughout the course of time. It is our responsibility as individuals to educate ourselves properly without the fabrication of our governments own interest and motives.