In my last few weeks in Chapel Hill, I attended a weekly workshop on Malawian culture and basic phrases in Chichewa. We learned how to ask and respond to the question, “Where are you from?” I raised my hand and asked the teacher how to say the United States. “We just say ‘America,’” she responded. I cringed.
In college, I majored in Global Studies. “So, you study the globe?” is a common response I received when people asked what I was studying. Most of my classes were focused on Latin America, and after going to South America three times it has a special place in my heart. That’s why I have such distaste for the word “America” or for labeling myself as “American.” There are two “American” continents, only one of which includes the United States. At least when I speak Spanish I’m able to say I am “estadounidense” – literally from the Estados Unidos.
I’ve started developing similar sentiments about the name “Africa.” Yes, I’m living on the African continent for a year. I’m not, however, going to come back an expert on life in Africa, and I’ll be lucky if I’m able to explore even one percent of this gigantic continent.
Surely there are things that bind all people of this continent together. Saying that each country is completely distinct would be reductionistic. I think it’s important, however, to distinguish between the many cultures on this continent. There is no single “African” culture, despite attempts by many people in the West to label Africa as a single country or discount how enormous it is. If you’re worried about me contracting Ebola, ponder how concerned you would be about me contracting Ebola in New York if there were an outbreak in California.
Given how the West portrays this continent, many people have attempted to refute the claims that all people here are living in complete devastation and are doing nothing to improve their conditions. There have been many times where I’ve taken a picture like the one below and have thought, “THIS is Africa” – this is what I wish people would think about.
The Vagina Monologues at the Lilongwe Wildlife Center
In reality, however, I’ll never be able to capture Africa. “This is Malawi” would be the only label I could use – and even that is a stretch because no photograph can describe an entire country. I’m making a conscious effort, however, to be specific with my language. No one thing could describe all of the two American continents, just as nothing could describe the entire African continent.
Here’s to the rest of my adventure in this region of the world.
Here’s to the rest of my adventure in this region of the world.