Stereotypes of Africa

Stereotypes and generalizations about Africa, its inhabitants, and their culture have evolved in the Western world since the years of colonial settlement.[1][2] The idea of Africa's negative stereotypes come from historical and media interactions.[3][4][5][6][7] Many of the stereotypes of Africa originate from colonialism and media representation.[8][9]

For the inhabitants of the United States, see Stereotypes of African Americans.

Stereotypes by region and time

Europe
An 1899 cartoon depicting "The White Man's Burden". The UK, US and other Western countries believed they had to civilise Africa.

Belgians viewed Africans as childlike as in Tintin in the Congo.[10][11][12][13] The French tried to civilize the continent by colonizing it.[14] The Germans viewed themselves as the "master race" in comparison with Africans.[15][16] Some Italians stereotype Africans as illegal immigrants and beggars.[17] Polish understanding of Africa is informed by media, which tends to focus on negative or dramatic news from the continent.[18] Portuguese viewed ruling Africa as an act of charity.[19][20]

Charles Darwin helped promote the idea that some groups, such as Africans and Australian Aboriginals, were closer to non-human apes than Europeans were.[21][22][23][24]

Asia

China views itself as a benevolent helper of Africans.[25][26][27] In Chinese internet culture, unlucky or incompetent video game players are called 'Africans', a reference to the expression 'black face' to mean unluckiness.[28][29] Japan views Africa as a continent in need of help.[30][31][32][33][34] Some Africans in India are perceived negatively.[35][36] South Koreans view Africa as an undeveloped continent.[37]

United States

In the United States, Africa is viewed as disease-ridden and backward.[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46]

Australia

Australians view Africans as part of criminal gangs.[47]

Common stereotypes

Environment
Outsiders may imagine Africa as mostly uninhabited savanna, with many wild animals

The common perception is that much or all of Africa is inhospitable jungle or desert,[48] or that it is mostly uninhabited savanna populated mainly by wild animals.[49]

Another mistaken belief about Africa is that wild animals are commonplace and are perceived the way domestic animals are in Western countries. While many large wild animals are in Africa, and they are well known at safaris (especially the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo), many citizens of African countries typically do not see them outside of zoos.[50][51]

Poverty

Africa is often believed to be the epicenter of primitive culture and of poverty.[52][53][54][55][56] Some countries in Africa are impoverished, but many countries in Africa have thriving and prosperous economies, including South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and many others.[57]

Technology
Internet usage in Africa (2015) varies greatly from country to country

Throughout the developed world, Africans are often perceived to have "no access to modern technology"; however, this is inaccurate.[50] A report in 2013 showed that 80 percent of Africans could access a mobile phone.[58][59] Internet usage across Africa grew by 20% in 2018, with penetration rates across North Africa of 59%, West Africa of 39%, Southern Africa of 51% and East Africa of 45%.[60]

Many people falsely believe that Africans live in "mud house[s] in the middle of nowhere."[50] Urban areas in Africa account for 43% of the continent's population,[61] though this is below the global average of 55 percent.[62]

Another common stereotype is that Africans commit online fraud.[63][64] The most well-known African scam is the advance-fee scam.[65]

Unity

Africa is often mistaken for a single country instead of a continent with 54 independent countries, each of which has its own languages, cultures, traditions, and histories.[49][66][67] This misrepresentation leads people to think that all Africans are the same and are without a unique history and culture.

Similarly, outsiders may believe that there is one language in Africa, called "African"; in fact, over 2,000 distinct languages are spoken throughout the African continent.[50] The most common language used on the African continent is Swahili.[68]

References
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