Africa

Africa

The authors of Africa are justified in their claim that the Western media partially cover the events in the continent. Little is known regarding the rapid development and sweeping changes across the continent (Martin et al. 3). Africa is quickly catching up with the rest of the planet in the 21^st century.  However, it is important to note that the 20^th-century colonial powers dealt a severe blow to social cohesion in Africa. Indeed, The Great Britain, France and Germany are to blame for the problems that still haunt the African society in the modern times. It is undeniable the invasion of Africa by the western powers was driven by greed and insatiable push for global dominance. While they were successful in spreading the western culture and values to African and other colonies, a trail of centuries-old injustices still haunt the continent and beyond.

Africa is a rich continent with abundant resources such as minerals and wildlife. However, the prevalence of poverty and sharp ethnic divisions has ignited wars and conflicts on wealth distribution. Most of the time, as the war raged in parts of Africa like Burundi, Rwanda and CAR (Central Africa Republic) the developed world has stood on the sidelines as a spectator. It is almost becoming a norm that Africa is a doomed continent. A mere mention of the continent in the United States, for instance, leads to an imagination of a jungle with savage inhabitants and a variety of deadly diseases. This partial and negative image has been passed down from a generation to the other. What many do not realize is that Africa is a progressive continent. In fact, as the author mentioned, the rapid economic development in South Africa is a clear testament of African prowess. Today, the southern country in sub-Saharan Africa is frequently ranked among the five rapidly advancing states.

The authors acknowledge that a sharp contrast exists between the rural and urban dwellers in Africa. Mostly, poverty, hunger and illiteracy affect rural residents. On a positive note, such residents enjoy unequaled traditions and culture that--at times--is a tourist magnet. Most Westerners abandoned their culture centuries ago, but in Africa, there is a taste for the past that many people yearn for in the chaotic modern times. We are living in an era characterized by pollution and industrialization: rural Africa has forests, wildlife, and exotic environment. This explains the existence of diverse wildlife. Notably, wild animals such as rhino, lion, elephants and leopard are extinct elsewhere on the planet due to overexploitation of resources and modernization. 

As the authors noted, Africa is often a victim of fights for dominance. During the cold war, Russia and the United States introduced policies that split Africa to two extremes. While this was common in other parts Europe and Asia, Africa was severely affected because, at the time, it was at the early development stage. In the modern times, the Aftershocks of communist failures are still prevalent in countries such as Libya, Tanzania and Sudan (Martin et al. 4). Forced democracy and installation of western-backed leaders have been an abject failure too. China is a superpower on the rise. As American influence fades in Africa, China is taking up the mantle. Currently, the Asian giant is investing heavily in African infrastructure and development. Interestingly, China hardly interferes in the affairs of African countries as opposed to the Europe and the US.

In summary, the Authors touched on sensitive African matters that the west and its media fail to capture. It should dawn on the rest of the planet that Africa is no longer a dark continent, but a significant partner and an equal player on a global platform. The developments in countries such as Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa should be enough to alter the mindset of the naysayers.

References

Martin, Phyllis M, and Patrick O'Meara. Africa. Bloomington [u.a.: Indiana Univ.-Pr, 1995.1-9. Print.