whydid europeans called africa is a dark conbment
Answers
Africa is home to some of the most amazing scenery and natural beauty on the planet. It is the continent where modern humans originated, and has been home to some of history’s great empires. However, despite all Africa has to offer, for centuries it has carried a reputation as a poor, backward, dangerous place, and perhaps nothing exemplifies this more than its outdated nickname, the “Dark Continent.”
Back in 2008, veteran newscaster Jean Cochran for NPR found herself in hot water after using the term in reference to a Presidential trip to Africa. Many expressed offense to hearing the phrase, especially without any sort of historical context. Cochran, who had been with NPR since 1981, admitted that the term was antiquated, but had no idea that people would find it racist and offensive. “I understood the term to refer to the African jungle,” she later said. “It’s a canopy blocking out the light. A geographical term.” However, only about 20% of Africa is forested, so this idea that Africa is “dark” because of its jungles, is pretty inaccurate. Cochran eventually offered an apology and vowed to never use the phrase again.