Question

Based on what you have learned and the sources you have analyzed, compare the common challenges facing African countries after they gained their independence. Write one to two paragraphs that include details and evidence from this lesson to support your generalizations.

Answer 1

We all first view the world through a single lens, and our own life experiences and beliefs impact our actions and behaviors unconsciously. This is referred to as implicit or unconscious bias. Everyone makes these generalizations, and they help and protect us in this complex world. But stereotypes are different. They are oversimplified and based merely on group membership and can be built upon any characteristic, such as age, a physical trait, gender, race or nationality.

Our beliefs about groups of people stem from socialization, including our parents, peers, national culture, subcultures and even the media. If this is true, stereotypes act as a way to justify placements in society. This concept is known as legitimizing myths – and it acts as a justification for social practices that influence groups and allocate social value within the social system.

In short, generalizations can be helpful but stereotypes are dangerous. Based on oversimplified, fixed assumptions about groups of people, stereotypes are often justified within social systems, causing myths that come with widespread belief. Among things to know about Africa is the fact that the continent has been the target of an unfathomable amount of stereotyping, which has led to the widespread belief of much false information.

Africa is a rich and diverse place. It encompasses more than 1,500 languages and 16 percent of the world’s population. To better understand the breadth of this diversity, let’s dissect seven myths about Africa.