Photos like this come in multitude and they receive similiar reactions: “Life isn’t hard when I think about how Africans have it.” “Oh this is so cute, let’s go help Africa” “This is so empowering. I want to help the orphans.” There is no fault in being conscious and aware about the conditions in which those in other countries are living. But the problem lies in this being the only mental image that millions imagine in association to Africa. It’s a shame, and photos, videos, commercials, etc. like this are why so many Africans have become angry, frustrated and fed up. There is nothing wrong is charity. There is nothing wrong with having a heart to help. But this is exactly the kind of image that the world grasp to whenever they envision Africa, and most of the time it’s the only image they’ll accept. Many people can only picture poverty and suffering because it’s all they’ve ever seen and all they’ll ever know. And if ever progress or improvement even creeps into the picture, a white person or white hands are usually suspected to be that source of healing. This is what we mean when we say Africa is Done Suffering. Poverty is not our identity, Africa is so much more than suffering and helplessness, but not many are willing to look beyond the manipulative media and it’s one-dimensional portrayal of Africa. It’s hard to imagine living in a world where Africa is seen as more than a handicapped and desolate land. It’s hard to picture a continent such as Africa being seen as a home of rich heritage and not overshadowed by visions of destitution, deprivation, and utter poverty. It’s hard to imagine, but something is being done about it. People are making efforts to reveal Africa for what it truly is, a land of various cultures, resilience, strength, and hope. People are speaking and exhausting themselves for this message to reach your ears but are you willing to listen? -Africa is Done Suffering

Photos like this come in multitude and they receive similiar reactions:

“Life isn’t hard when I think about how Africans have it.”

“Oh this is so cute, let’s go help Africa”

“This is so empowering. I want to help the orphans.”

There is no fault in being conscious and aware about the conditions in which those in other countries are living. But the problem lies in this being the only mental image that millions imagine in association to Africa. It’s a shame, and photos, videos, commercials, etc. like this are why so many Africans have become angry, frustrated and fed up. There is nothing wrong is charity. There is nothing wrong with having a heart to help. But this is exactly the kind of image that the world grasp to whenever they envision Africa, and most of the time it’s the only image they’ll accept. Many people can only picture poverty and suffering because it’s all they’ve ever seen and all they’ll ever know. And if ever progress or improvement even creeps into the picture, a white person or white hands are usually suspected to be that source of healing. This is what we mean when we say Africa is Done Suffering. Poverty is not our identity, Africa is so much more than suffering and helplessness, but not many are willing to look beyond the manipulative media and it’s one-dimensional portrayal of Africa. It’s hard to imagine living in a world where Africa is seen as more than a handicapped and desolate land. It’s hard to picture a continent such as Africa being seen as a home of rich heritage and not overshadowed by visions of destitution, deprivation, and utter poverty. It’s hard to imagine, but something is being done about it. People are making efforts to reveal Africa for what it truly is, a land of various cultures, resilience, strength, and hope. People are speaking and exhausting themselves for this message to reach your ears but are you willing to listen?

-Africa is Done Suffering

(via africaisdonesuffering)