I got a random text from a "friend" calling me an "African-American". I text him back saying "I'm a Carib-American. I don't know anything about Africa." Then it became a back and forth. Instead of trying to entertain him, I decided to write a blog post about it. So, this is mostly for him.
So, what do I know about Africa? This is from the top of my head without Wikipedia or Google.
It's far. It's on the other damn side of the ocean.
It's a continent consist of many countries.
Johannesburg, South Africa is a major city, but not the capital. (of Africa)
Swahili, a language that I'm vaguely familiar with thanks to a past client and my music teacher, is one of the many tongues spoken there.
The only countries I can named off the top of my head: Egypt (I am currently study Egyptian lore), Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya (where my past client is from), Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Sierra Leona (Kanye + Lupa), Senegal (News & Akon. Yes, I know Akon is a poser.).
While I was naming the countries, thanks to the "Sound of Blackness" I almost sang "Zimbabwe, Timbuktu and Ashanti nations". I am not sure of Timbuktu and Ashanti beyond the song, but I'm pretty sure you can find Zimbabwe on a map. The other two I think are structures or former countries that no longer exist.
Not all countries in Africa are at war.
A few countries in Africa have a desert.
Not all countries in Africa observe the Muslim religion.
People DO take resources out of Africa. Few people invest back into Africa.
"Coming to America" is fictional. (Yes, I have to say this because some people thought that it was SLIGHTLY based on facts.)
There are a few countries I am interested in visiting one day. But unlike the comedians that did visited there, I will try my best NOT to refer to the their country as "Africa". I will refer to it as "it is part of Africa".
Not every part of Africa has a lion.
Kwanzaa is a "mashup" holiday. The holiday is us trying to form some identity with Africa, but it's more a vague reflection than accurate one. (And yes, I do observe it, outta respect)
Parts of Africa may have civil wars, slavery, child exploitation and blood diamonds, but it's only at those parts. I'm not sure which parts. But it's complex.
My personal opinion: If African countries was to unify, it would become a Superpower that will probably make all countries shake in fear. But it will not happen due to treaties and things that goes beyond my understanding.
So, there. That's pretty much what I know about Africa and anything associated with it. Will I learn more? Yes... when I'm ready to.
But for now, I don't call myself an "African-American" because we all originated from Africa, so I kinda find that silly.
