Stop Trying to Save Africa

        Stop Trying to Save Africa was a depiction of America’s (The West’s) actions, toward Africa, from the perspective of an African native. In this article he gave examples of the way Americans “advertised” the help that they have given Africa. He referred to how we (as Americans) ‘overwhelmingly’ praise celebrities for their work in Africa, as if they are doing something that other countries have never done or continue to do. The author also went on to say that we “use [them] as props in the West’s fantasy of itself” (Mascia-Lees, 74), or for lack of better words, as means to boast. Not to mention his comparison of our ‘African children’ adoptions to him and his friends adopting stray dogs.  Nevertheless, he still mentioned that he and other Africans appreciated the help given by the West.

        To begin, I want to state that I agree with everything that the author is saying. He pointed out pertinent examples, which would have any reader second guessing one’s own ethnocentrism. We Americans do use ‘saving Africa’ as the new and ‘hip’ thing to do. We do ignore the many things Africa has done for itself. For example, they fought and won a long grueling fight for freedom from colonial masters, but the West explains it as “being granted independence” (Mascia-Lees, 74).  We do praise celebrities for their work overseas with the ‘less fortunate’, either by nominating them for certain awards or simply by giving them more time on Entertainment Tonight. We elect Miss America if she excels in many categories, one mainly being her charitable contributions. Though, that is to portray that we are concerned more with her accomplishments than her looks (a tangent for another time). All the while, we paint Africa “as a black hole of disease and death” (Mascia-Lees, 74); but we fail to acknowledge our role in how they became that way.

        I could not help but wonder if the author took psychological advertisement into consideration before he went on his ethnocentric rant. Yes, Americans are extremely shallow. Therefore, advertisement becomes shallow in order to appeal to the ‘average’ buyer. I believe the majority of people that want to help Africa do so because they truly want to; and in turn, they try their best to help others understand why they should also help. Furthermore, I believe that there are those who help out solely for the recognition. However; I choose to weigh the negatives versus the positives. It is always beneficial to help one more person in Africa, despite the driving force behind the help. Therefore, I question how the genuineness of that aid becomes more important than the immense amount of help given. If I was dying on the side of the road I would rather be helped by a passing car, than not be helped for sake of worrying about the driver getting praised for his chivalry.