Tuesday, June 19, 2007

"How to write about Africa"

I just came across this, I recommend reading it, as it really sums up how many westerners view Africa. I once jokingly asked someone (I think it was an adult) what the capital of Africa is, and their answer "Egypt?".
Addendum: If this doesn't work, try this: http://www.granta.com/extracts/2615

A snippet

"Always use the word 'Africa' or 'Darkness' or 'Safari' in your title. Subtitles may include the words 'Zanzibar', 'Masai', 'Zulu', 'Zambezi', 'Congo', 'Nile', 'Big', 'Sky', 'Shadow', 'Drum', 'Sun' or 'Bygone'. Also useful are words such as 'Guerrillas', 'Timeless', 'Primordial' and 'Tribal'. Note that 'People' means Africans who are not black, while 'The People' means black Africans.

Never have a picture of a well-adjusted African on the cover of your book, or in it, unless that African has won the Nobel Prize. An AK-47, prominent ribs, naked breasts: use these. If you must include an African, make sure you get one in Masai or Zulu or Dogon dress."

4 comments:

Ba said...

Unable to access "How to write..." thru your link.

Maybe that's why no comments.

Ba

The Alabamycologist said...

Thanks for the comment, please try again now.

Agent Ytnok said...

Beavers won last night, will play Saturday in game 1 of the finals.

That park with the cabins and grills sounds awesome!!

Agent Ytnok said...

Cool link. I don't refer to non-white Africans as The People, rather I say Those People, which proves I'm not a racist.

BTW: Beavers are repeat champs.