Beyond a Single Story
Not everyone can afford the time or money needed to travel the globe. Attractions offer a passport to learn about different cultures through food, art, architecture, music, and entertainment. They can provide a chance to explore the world closer to home. But what if this cultural experience is distorted, reflecting a skewed image shaped by unknowledgeable perspectives and tainted by biased sources?
Mekeya Jama
MSW, LCSW
Are attractions providing an authentic chance to experience the world, or are we caught in the web of misrepresented cultures? In the Western world, Africa is often portrayed as a single underdeveloped country with a supposedly “primitive” culture, rather than the diverse continent it actually is. There’s often a focus on poverty. These depictions lack authenticity and create long-lasting harm. Mekeya Jama, MSW, LCSW, immigrated from East Africa in the mid-90s. She’s felt the impact of negative and monolithic portrayals of Africa. As a licensed therapist, she’s seen the repercussions of cultural misrepresentation.
“For young people growing up in the West, exhibits are often their initial exposure to their own culture and history. The misrepresentation of their culture can lead to feelings of confusion, self-loathing, and rejection. Many children may not have a reference point because they’ve never been to their country of origin. For them, the harm is magnified, fostering shame and guilt, and hindering pride in their origins,” Jama explains.
The damage isn’t limited to children. Jama adds, “Adult immigrants with lived experiences may find depictions of their culture absurd, leading to frustration in constantly needing to correct misconceptions. There is a strong desire among the African diaspora to provide American-born children with a more accurate depiction of Black history. Discrepancies between what children of Black immigrants are taught about their heritage at home and what they observe in mainstream representations can create complex emotions, ranging from confusion to feelings of self-doubt and rejection. This misrepresentation not only affects Black immigrant children but also impacts African Americans who may not have direct ties to the continent. The truth is that Black history is ancient, complicated, and layered. It didn’t just start in the 1600s with the trans-Atlantic slave trade. West Africa boasts numerous ancient civilizations. For instance, the Nok society in present-day Nigeria stands as one of the earliest known iron-working civilizations.”
Lagos, Nigeria
Geography is Destiny
Africa is the second largest continent, divided in half by the equator. There are 54 countries and over 3,000 languages spoken. Lagos, Nigeria, has roughly nine million residents, and Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has almost eight million (approximately the same population as New York City.)
Some attractions may succumb to oversimplified narratives, showcasing a one-dimensional view of Africa. This can perpetuate harmful stereotypes, obscuring the true diversity and vibrancy of cultures.
Jama explains, “In my twenties, while working at a hotel, I encountered a remark that left me feeling deeply offended and diminished. When I mentioned being from East Africa, a man responded by stating, ‘Oh, so it's pretty much primitive.’ This comment saddened me deeply, particularly because of my passion for history. It's disheartening when people make uninformed statements like that. I am certain he never knew that East Africa has some of the most ancient civilizations starting from the Nubians who passed knowledge to the ancient Kemet or Egypt as well as the Greeks. The Ajuran of Somalia were the earliest seafarers of East Africa. Oromo people organized their society with the one indigenous African system called Gada, which encompassed complex astrology. The Abyssinians were the earliest practitioners of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Unfortunately, Americans and, generally, the Western world have ignored the tapestry of African civilizations. They are given ‘a single story’ narrative about Africa, as writer Chimamanda Adichie warns. Most of us who grew up in the motherland in the past 40 or 50 years have never interacted with wildlife, unfortunately. I am saddened to know that even people who look like me in the West can have a very limited understanding of their own history. I think it would benefit everyone to understand that Africa did not begin when Europe invaded the continent or with the brutal history of slavery.”
When thinking of Africa, one might only picture the savanna. The truth is that Africa has very diverse settings. While savannas cover half of Africa, the landscape also features the Sahara, the Sahel, the Ethiopian Highlands, the Swahili Coast, the rainforest, the African Great Lakes, and Southern Africa. Each has an ecosystem with its own sets of animals and plants. There are bustling metropolis cities and small towns reminiscent of the 1950s.
Jama says, “In a typical African city, you might be traveling from a large modern metropolis to a quaint town that is reminiscent of the early parts of the 20th century. A few kilometers away, you might find yourself among people living in the traditional style in huts, farming, and relying on animal husbandry. It’s akin to stepping into a time capsule. However, in the West, we get the ‘single story’ narrative of these places. It’s common to see a depiction of Africans as impoverished and in need of rescue. But our story is much more layered. In this vast continent, a single story narrative misses the full spectrum of experiences. Some Africans have lives in cities. Others live in small towns. Some have a deep connection to the land. All of them have stories worth telling. The indigenous people who live in the traditional way of life have so much to teach us. Their wisdom is not being represented fairly. For example, the San people (formerly known as ‘Bushmen,’ which is an offensive term) move through a vast landscape of South Africa without being detected by predators like lions. They know how to track game and specialty food like honey. They have a deep connection with natural medicine, utilizing leaves and plants. Their history and culture are among the most overlooked. We can gain so much insight from the practices of these indigenous people if we learn to appreciate their history fully.”
The Full Story
"Stories matter. Words mean something. Exhibits are laden with meaning. In the past, the portrayal of Black people by Europeans has a racist and deeply problematic history. For example, in the late 19th century and early 20th century, Africans from the continent were kidnapped from their homes and forced into exhibition in what is now referred to as a human zoo. Notably, Sara Baartman was enslaved in the late 17th century and taken to Europe, where she was displayed to an audience that had very racist ideas about Black people. She died at the age of 26. Even in death, her body parts were displayed in European museums. We still live with the legacy of dehumanizing Black bodies. To this day, Africa’s complex and beautiful history is largely untold. We still witness the single story narrative about this vast continent full of untold history of diverse cultures. Everyone misses out when these stories are left untold. The narratives we choose to embrace can either empower or dehumanize and destroy,” Jama emphasizes.
Our job is to connect visitors through stories, education, and emotion, but we must be careful to avoid generalizations and stereotypes. We should strive for authenticity, presenting a nuanced and respectful portrayal of the diverse cultures, histories, and landscapes across the continent.
Collaborate: Work with people with firsthand knowledge and experiences of Africa's diverse cultures, histories, and landscapes. Showcase contemporary aspects of African culture alongside historical elements for a more comprehensive view.
Research: Seek input from experts, including historians, anthropologists, and artists, to ensure a well-rounded perspective. Understand the history and traditions of the region being represented.
Context: Provide context and depth to the storytelling. Explain the historical, social, and cultural background of the narratives. Go beyond common stereotypes and showcase the resilience, innovation, and contributions of African societies.
Empathy
Jama says, “It's important to recognize that Africa encompasses far more than just wilderness and wildlife. I want to shed light on the diverse cultures and rich history of our continent. African history predates European and Arab influence, representing the oldest human history known to us. Africa is not only the cradle of humanity but also the starting point of global history. I believe that gaining a deeper understanding of Africa would lead to shifts in perspective and foster empathy. To truly comprehend humanity, we must humanize all facets of it, starting with Africa.”
Cairo, Egypt
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