“Mistaking Africa” is an eye opener for curious minds and truth grabbers. Curtis Keim’s book presents the negativity and reveals the true essence of Africa. Keim shows us the most used stereotypes and misrepresentation of views that Western society and others have implied to Africa. Kein goes into strong details about where these stereotypes came from, how these stereotypes harm Africans, and how we can change our views to help educate ourselves. These stereotypes are damaging and it shows how society as a whole has a hard time opening up to different cultures and lifestyles. One chapter that’s significant is chapter five titled “Where is the Real Africa?” This chapter discusses the difference between what we want Africa to be versus how Africa really is. It helps explain pattern ideas and how to leave these received molds in order to more forward and learn the true meaning of African cultures no matter how many different cultures there is.
The main argument that Keim focuses on is how society, mainly people in the Western part of the world or people who think in a Western mindset believe that Africa is severely behind, weak and incapable of developing into a superior continent. Western society has set a high standard of what they believe others should have, how their native people should think, behave, grow, and accomplishments that should already be made. Yet, Western culture feels that they are superior to others and they are a trendsetter to the way of life. Keim shows the stereotypes created against Africans and how we can get rid of these stereotypes altogether. In order to understand someone or something different, we must understand their language. Keim explains “because language is the major key to understanding how people mentally organize the world around them.” (p.4) It’s also important to learn African language because not all words interpret the same meaning. For example, in chapter one Keim’s describe words like “native, hut, warrior, shield, tribe, etc are commonly associated with traditional Africa.” (p. 5) Things are more involved in Africa and traditional Africa is not what Africa is today. He also argues that we must address the use and misuse of stereotypes. He states that everybody stereotypes and the reason for this is “we are biologically wired to try to make sense of reality, even when it makes no particular sense.” (p. 6) Stereotypes are not necessarily a bad thing but in order to actually understand Africa, we must remove these stereotypes. Keim also disputes we must change how we learn about other cultures. Our main sources of knowledge dealing with Africa comes from media (television, newspaper, and even movies). With these media sources, we learn Africa in a not so positive way. In television, we do not get the accurate picture, only the natural stereotypes associated with Africa. For example, most programs are nature wilderness shows. Why this is true Africa does have some wildlife, that’s not what Africa is all about. Also since there is very limited modern African society displayed on tv, some people believe that many people live in tribals. Some people do live in tribes but a lot of people also live in urban cities. Africa is more than these stereotypes, yes there is wildlife and some tribes but that’s not the main points of Africa. We must forget these old ways of learning and find a new accurate way to educate ourselves about other cultures. Keim brings light to “Dark Africa,” which is located in chapter three. Keim unfolds the birth of the Dark Continent and how harmful these phrases are. The birth of these phrases came from the Western culture with their fabricated stories and scientific believe that Westerns were superior and were more animal like than Europeans.
Another argument Keim displays is how we go by helping Africa or do we even help Africa in general. He believes that it is a certain way to help Africa and if it is done the wrong way then this does nothing but help contribute to the existing stereotypes. He disputes that the only positive way to help Africa is by allowing Africa to help themselves. Instead of taking over. We need to learn the needs and start there. For example, Keim argues ‘effective work usually requires actually living in villages and learning African languages.” (p. 94) One must learn to understand in order to be fully beneficial to others. In chapter ten, Keim argues on how important Africa in images are and how overtime negative images does nothing but help fuel these stereotypes. He shows in numerous examples of how these images are offensive and how these images do not help display positivity. For example, Keim shows images that reflect the standing negative views Westerns have against Africana. In photo one, it shows an image of a human (greek descent), negro, and young chimpanzee. Including a headshot of these humans and animals and the skull image as well. This negative representation ties back to the scientific belief that Africans are more descendants of animals making greek superior to all. The last main argument in this book comes from chapter 12 “From Imagination to Dialogue. Keim states that all of these assumptions about Africa can all be put to an end if people would talk and try to learn about others instead of guessing (which results in ignorance). He states that “the first stereotypes to understanding Africans differences is to listen to African cultures and attempt to discover Africa in its own words and in its own context.” (p. 184) We have to learn to disconnect ourselves from stereotypes and actually take the time to learn the different culture from our own.
The chapter I believe is the most influential is chapter five, titled “Where is the Real Africa?”, it displays how others view Africa and what “Real Africa” really is. I believe this chapter is important because it presents Africa in it’s rawest form and cancels out all stereotypes. Keim argument is that not all of Africa is troubled, helpless, or unchanging. But yet is superior and wise. He believes that there is not much of a difference when compared to other continents. Yes, there is troubled in Africa with politics, corruptions, health, and social issues but this is common among other countries as well. For example, Keim state that “one in seven households has food insecurity, but most of us don’t say that the hungry cause their own troubles or that hunger define our country.” (p. 69) This example proves that all continents deal with the same issues but just in different ways. Does brings to question why is Africa made out to be worse than everyone else? If we all encounter the same problems what makes others more superior? With dealing with the helpless stereotype he displays how many celebrities that try to help Africa do not actually help at all. This once again does nothing but add fuel to the already hurtful stereotypes. He states “Africans are not children and their problems are not natural to Africa. The problems have been created by past history.” (p.70) Keims believes that in order to help Africa out in a successful way one must abandon the helping the poor act. Less help is better after all. He also points out that helping with large charities and benefit gathering does nothing but still shows stereotypes. With unchanging, society feels that Africa is enabling of change and cannot adjust to the new rising world. This chapter also shows how Africa, even African Americans are just as well off as anyone else and their history has benefitted and/or influenced many around the world. Keim also states that “As African and African Americans gained power in the second half of the twentieth century, an increasing number of Americans, both white and black, came to understand that Africa has contributed to global history.” (p. 79)
The overall message of this chapter and the entire book is that Africa or any other country does not have to follow behind Western culture. Different things work for different forms of society. We must let go of all the negative thoughts because Africa is just as wise and just as superior as everyone else. We must abandon this stereotypes because they are wrong and downright racist. Instead, we must learn that Africa is unique, beautiful, strong, and is capable of shaping its own society without outside influences.