(ThyBlackMan.com) The continent of Africa is still misunderstood, misinterpreted and mistreated. It’s people have too many times been demeaned and portrayed as savages, uneducated, impoverished and unable to govern themselves.
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There are so many misconceptions even from the TED Talk “The Danger of a Single Story” by Novelist Chimamanda Adichie that there is false information and equally false perceptions about the people and history of Africa. https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story
The facts are that Africa had the first universities that people traveled to and studied. Christianity has been a solid religion along
with Islam for centuries. Trade and commerce were being conducted by land routes and by sea routes centuries before Europeans thrust their influence through violence and gunpowder.
Architecture, engineers, science and medical research where ongoing centuries before European influences and colonialism. Concepts of STEM and STEAM were already implemented in African society and the integration of the Arts was begun before the current understanding that STEM Science Technology Engineering Math are valuable.
The major influences of the Arts can be found from the origination of African developments. STEAM has an infrastructure that is based on African influences. The Cultural Awareness and Diversification Extravaganza showed that the continent of Africa is rich in natural resources, rich in cultural diversity, vibrant with educational growth, abundantly influential globally not because of the natural resources, but because of its people also.
Represented at the Extravaganza is knowledge, music, dance and fashion that shows the side of Africa that many media elements do not and refuse to show. The greatness of Africa should be highlighted like any American, European or Asian people.
The history is vast across the centuries, so important this knowledge and transformative that Europeans have tried to hide the facts, minimize the talents and abilities of Africans in many areas. Because of Africa we enjoy the treasure and riches from that continent, people of color and cultures should not allow traditional media to show only one picture, one vision and one bias of a continent that make the United States miniscule in comparison.
Information is powerful, but applied information is transformative, that is why the continent of Africa must be seen in its brilliance and the people as agents of change in education, commerce, industry, technology, science, medicine and other areas that show the growth
of this magnificent continent.
The Cultural Awareness and Diversification Extravaganza, created by Jemimma Mumphrey is just the first of many that will feature: an African Fashion Show, African Dance, African Drum Beating, African Poetry and Spoken Word, Taste of Africa, African Vendor Displays and much more.
To many times the media has not shown Africa as a productive, progressive investment for the future of the world. The mentality must change and so must the mental acceptance of people of color. It is up to people of color to change the narrative of Africa and the historical significance of this mother continent.
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson & Aida Correa
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.
