Africa Is Not a Country: Notes on a Bright Continent

A rare recent publication, but as usual in these cases, I was gifted a voucher!

While this book is compelling reading, I felt it lacked a central theme. The sections of the book came at random, and I found some confusingly contradictory. The book is subtitled ‘breaking stereotypes of modern Africa' and yet it managed to confirm a few stereotypes in amongst repeating that they didn't apply to all, just some of Africa... it didn't convince me on some of these. While I am being negative (sorry, but this is a common peeve with me) was there no possible way to fit in a few maps? I would have settled even for two - one post colonial showing some indication of what was going on with various kingdoms etc vs the colonial carve-up that much of one of the chapters is spent discussing. For me this was unforgiveable (not having maps) and a star or maybe a half was the cost.

To the sections -
1 - Lagos - a look around Lagos and the Nigerian outlook - the author's home town.

2- By the Power Vested in Me, I Now Pronounce You a Country - the carve up of Africa by the nations of Europe, including the ludicrous drawing of straight lines for borders that run through geographical features and tribal groups land alike. This was perhaps the most compelling of chapters for me. It gave back ground of why countries wanted to land-grab (in many cases to take the slaves from ‘their' slice), and how the different countries looked to administer the lands.

3 - The Birth of the White Savior - the chapters here examine why aid doesn't benefit those it should (a position I have long agreed with), chronicles of LiveAid, BandAid etc, as well as more recent efforts with something called Kony2012 ( I was obviously oblivious). Again, a compelling chapter, reinforcing what others have suggested happens with aid agency money (Paul Theroux is the author who springs to mind).

4 - The Story of Democracy in Seven Dictatorships- Somalia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe (and Zambia), Rwanda, Algeria, Equatorial Guinea and Libya. For me this is a chapter I found excellently written, but I fail to understand how this is dispelling stereotypes. These are stories of strongmen and dictators ruling over countries by changing rules, corruptly siphoning off money into personal wealth and providing family or cronies with high ranks and positions. This did the opposite of dispelling.

5 - There Is No Such Thing as an African Accent - this section dives into generic African tropes in films and books; some mocking of Madonna, who considered that Malawi was not grateful enough when she adopted children and that they didn't turn on the VIP treatment for her. It goes on to discuss the film Black Panther and its positive role modelling for black people.

6 - The Case of the Stolen Artefacts - The vast museums full of looted African artifacts and the ongoing arguments for returning these to where they were appropriated, or retaining them in European (and American) museums. An interesting section, and a long process ahead!

7 - Jollof Wars - A whole section on a (admittedly culturally important) rice dish. I struggled to maintain any interesting this one.

8 - What's Next? - A section with a mixture of stories about where Africa is headed. It included groups making or attempting social and political change; and then a dull section on Nollywood film.

Overall, there were parts I really enjoyed reading, some that were ok and a few dud chapters I struggled to stay interested in. Lacking an overall theme, and lack of maps altogether were marks against. There was enough in here for me to enjoy reading it.
3.5 stars, rounded up.

3.5 stars.

This book should be required reading, right along with [b:Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong 296662 Lies My Teacher Told Me Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong James W. Loewen https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1255592395l/296662.SY75.jpg 15653]. Its author, Dipo Faloyin, shatters the monolithic myths that many of us have about Africa, explaining how they became so powerful and why their persistence is so harmful. In the late 19th century, a group of rich European white men in khakis basically got together and shouted “dibs!” on certain parts of Africa, creating countries that had no basis in cultural or geographic realities. When the African nations started declaring their independence a century later, the result was frequently violent, as different tribes within a country's border fought each other for power. Faloyin describes it as Fifty-four houses built on sand, poorly anchored to business deals written using Victorian definitions of civilization. The irregular births of its nations, and the short time they've had to deal with ramifications, underlie why so many are still fighting to overcome foundational challengesEven today, the images portrayed in well-intentioned charity appeals perpetuate the message that all African people are poor, hungry, and helpless, waiting for the white saviors to deliver them from evil. (Remember “Kony 2012?” Sure it was a horrible situation, but a bunch of American teenagers with stickers didn't solve a highly complex, delicate issue.)Faloyin's tone is snarky, angry, exasperated and sometimes downright hilarious (see the chapter on how to make a Hollywood film about Africa). In a brief 350 pages, he educates, entertains, enrages and encourages us to do better.