There are so many misconceptions about Nigeria and Africa that have taken root in the minds of most Westerners, Americans and other people of the world. I mean, why is it that when we are asked who has seen a lion or any wild animal, all eyes turn to the Nigerians or Africans to give them an accurate description of what they look like?
In my unprejudiced conclusion, the only image of an African country many Westerners and Americans have is one where the people spend their time hunting for lions, or better yet, a place where cannibals still roam about looking for people to devour. I have met up with many Westerners who still believe that snakes and some other wild reptiles are walking alongside with people in Africa. Even to some extent, some still believe that these reptiles are sharing a room with people in Africa, and this gives them the impression that Africa is a Dark Continent.
I'm also very sure that many Westerners will seem to have a stroke or heart attack, when told that many African kids are raised on books like Animal Farm, Romeo & Juliet, Enid Blyton's "Famous Five" etc. Imagine it was a surprised thing for my mates when I told him that many of these English literature books are being read in most Africa countries. He never believed when I told him that TV programs like The Cosby Show, Sesame Street, Passions and The Bold and the Beautiful are all being regularly viewed by most Nigerians and some Africans.
Whereas most Nigerian guys will absolutely refuse to step out of the doors of their houses if they are not in the latest Sean John outfit and shoes just like many American guys and some Westerners. Could you all believe that my British friend was completely out of words when I told him that many of the English football teams like Arsenal FC, Manchester united, Chelsea FC, Newcastle FC, Liverpool FC are being viewed in live broadcasts in most of the African nations. He never believed that Africans do view UEFA Champions Leagues at all, and all his thoughts were that “they read about itâ€. The fact that most African countries are developing does not in any way mean that we don't have things like cable, satellite dishes and health clubs.
And of course, many African cities like Lagos, Cairo, Johannesburg, Dakar, Port-Harcourt, Tunis, Tripoli, Casablanca, Durban, etc are just like New York and many other Western Cities in many aspects: the people, the buildings, the over-crowded streets. But the problem is that non-of the Westerners and even Americans do hear much about it except when there's a flood, terrorist attack or something. It is because of the negative image that Nigeria and Africa as a whole have been given in the past, sometimes with good justification, but more frequently not, that many Africans are afraid of associating themselves with their roots.
Just take a look at our music: you will see the Western influence everywhere we go. Some Africans even refuse to wear their native clothes and sing their native songs, which they should be proud of. And generally most Africans fail to embrace their culture simply because they have been taught and told by those who know no better that anything that has to do with their African culture or tradition is dirty, barbaric, outdated and bad.
The uncultured way of thinking of many Africans also has to be perfectly addressed because in most African homes (including those of Africans abroad), as you hardly see any item or thing that is symbolic of Africa culture, even rarely to hear them speaking their native language very well. But when it comes to English grammar, you will hear them speaking as if they were being raised by the Queen of England herself.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to say Westerners or Americans are to be blamed for any of this. I'm just trying to show how the powerful Western media has negatively affected some Africans.
But who knows perhaps the slumbering giant of Africa will wake up to her responsibilities, and the dark continent, as Africa is called, will finally see the breaking of a new dawn.
By Hafiza Adiza
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