AFRICA

Let’s go back to 1^st grade geography.  On planet earth we have 7 continents: 

North America- I live here!

 South America- the Amazon river is here.

 Europe- has 3 countries start with the letter “I” (Ireland, Iceland and Italy)

Asia- has tons of people

 Australia-where Oprah took her entire audience

Antarctica-where it is mad cold

AFRICA- not a country but an entire CONTINENT

The reason I bring this up is because I have heard too many people (mostly people in the United States) talk about Africa as one big country.  As if the entire continent is the same.  A while there are certainly common “African” experiences and attitudes, that are present throughout the entire continent of Africa, it is dangerous to think of or speak of Africa as if it is one giant country. 

I am no expert on Africa but what I have come to understand in my experience is that Africa, as a continent, is not only physically very large but also extremely diverse.  It might be one of the most diverse places in the world.  Throughout the continent there are many different religions, cultures, attitudes, languages, regions, politics, customs, work, education levels and ways of life.  And that is why is not always a good idea to speak of “Africa” as one monolithic thing.  It takes away the beautiful and rich and complicated and DIVERSE story that is the countries and regions and peoples and cultures that make up the continent of Africa.

So if you mean to talk about the entire continent of Africa….please talk away.  But if you really only mean to talk about a particular country or region then use that country or region’s name, instead of the catch-all Africa!