Growing up as an African in elementary and middle school were not the best moments. You are constantly teased with rude false remarks like "You're an African booty scratcher," "That's why your family is poor," and "You stink!" These ignorant remarks were hurtful and also discouraged us as Africans to not embrace our culture. Many people deny their African heritage because they are ashamed due to the stereotypes and constant taunting from Americans. I remember being in high school my freshmen year and students were surprise when they find out I was African they would constantly say, "You don't look African," and I would respond "What is an African supposed to look like?" Some had no response and others would say, "You know dark skin, big nose and lips, unattractive."
Towards my junior year of high school, Africans began to evolve and became more accepted. It seemed after many Americans attending African parties they realized how fun and loving we were. But of course, they still had their ignorant questions like, "Do you see zebras, and lions in Africa", or "Do you guys live in huts?" Then I realized that they were saying these things to be funny, but they also honestly did not know about our culture—they were curious. It's about time that we answer these questions
1. WHAT YOU SEE ON TELEVISION IS NOT 100 PERCENT REAL
Many of the television programs of poor African children starving is true, but it is not the entire continent of Africa. Majority of those programs are based on the villages, and not the cities.
2. WE DO NOT ALL SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE, NOR DO WE SPEAK THE CLICK LANGUAGE
Africa is a continent, so when someone asks "Can you speak African?" it makes absolutely no sense. It is the equivalent of saying "Can you speak North American?" Like any other continent, Africa is made up of many different countries and cultures. Every country has their own language; the more appropriate question to asks would be "What language does your country speak?" There are some parts of Africa that do speak the Click language, but it is not the entire continent.
3. NOT ALL AFRICANS ARE DARK SKIN
Like African Americans, Africans have different shades of brown. Not all Africans have a dark skin complexion. We have white, light skin, brown skin, etc.
4. NOT ALL AFRICANS EMBRACE VOODOO
African countries are not the only countries on this earth that do voodoo; voodoo is all over. African countries are just exposed to it more, but many Africans do not encourage or do voodoo.
5. WE DO NOT LIVE IN HUTS, NOR DO WE HAVE JUNGLES IN OUR BACKYARD
Many people fail to realize that life in Africa is much more stress-free and relaxing than in America. Huts are only used in the village, and it is not as common. We have bigger houses than our own homes in America. We also do not have jungles in our backyard—there are jungles in Africa, but they mostly filled with just bushes and are far from the cities. You are more likely see goats and chickens walking around in the city.
These are a few of many stereotypes Africans face on a daily basis. It becomes very annoying because of the ignorance, but we also understand that non-Africans do not have much knowledge about African culture and it is our job to teach you all.
