I just caught the Last King of Scotland. Pretty good movie, and it's not meant to be a documentary. I decided to check it out at IMDB, and I found this pretty interesting article on one of the forum threads.


"

Don't cry for Africa



For quite a few years now, Africa has been the West's flavour of the month. Whether it's in Making Poverty History, or adopting wide-eyed babies from one of the continent's 53 countries, it is very hip to talk aid. And to talk Africa.

Darfur is finally getting some attention in the mainstream press, but as always, there looms that danger of the entire continent paying a price for one tragedy. The image of Africa has always been one of doom, gloom and despondency.

Celebrities and their causes, which are accessorised by over-the-top concerts have resulted in a definite increase in the number of words in the newspapers and air-time on TV.

But, more often than not, the news is bad. And Africa continues to suffer as a consequence of this repeated portrayal of its negative side.

Treated as a monolith instead of realising the potential within 53 countries, Africa is being "Darfurdised" in the mainstream media. The genocide in one part, leads to a negative perception of other parts that not only have enormous potential, but are also fairly prosperous.

The African continent has more than 900 million people and it is true that there are a few unnecessary deaths. However, it is the same in countries such as India and China.

As an example, malnutrition in children under five in India, is at about 46 per cent, making it worse off than sub-Saharan Africa. And yet, it is being endlessly courted as a yummy economy, with investment pouring in.

Of the 47 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, how many have active conflicts? At last count it was Sudan, Chad, Uganda, the DR Congo and Somalia.

According to economists, last year, Africa recorded its highest GDP in 20 years. Also, 16 African countries have positive sovereign credit ratings. It is reported - not widely of course - that Botswana's is higher than Japan's, but it still fails to realise its potential of foreign investment.

Change direction

For far too long, the voices of celebrities such as Bono and Bob Geldof have spat out figures of deaths by malaria, HIV and malnutrition.

It is, of course, thanks to them that the continent received some of TV's lights. However, it is high time that their rants changed direction and started talking of Africa's potential instead of its poverty.

Africa is not a continent of war-torn refugees, infected with HIV and living under a dollar a day.

Africa in the 21st century, is a continent that has doubled its mobile phone and internet use every year - for the last seven years. The amount of foreign capital entering it is higher than the amount of foreign aid.

While the intentions of aid are noble, the results have shown the creation of lazy governance and bad bureaucracies that are neither responsible nor accountable.

Like India and China, whose people immigrated westward but returned, the same trend is observed in Africa. Africans are now returning to what they see and believe as a land and time of opportunity. Brimming with ideas and enthusiasm, they're singing the same song as Bono and Geldof. But, the lyrics are different.

They don't want to Make Poverty History. They want to Make Africans Rich.

The people of Africa are slowly gaining a voice on the international stage. For quite a while, there has been a growing distaste at the manner in which their people have been represented. It has generated charitable donations.

However, at a recent African conference, Ugandan journalist Andrew Mwenda, best summed it up when he asked: "What man or nation has ever become rich by holding out a begging bowl?"

Africa today, needs trade. Fair trade. Why not for instance, campaign for letting African cotton farmers compete fairly in Western markets instead of asking for aid?

As another example, the African film industry is at an interesting crossroads. Young filmmakers and talent are desperate and bursting to tell stories that aren't about starvation and genital mutilation.

Their stories are set in real Africa and are told in an honest way without stereotyping and showing the promise of a people that want to move on. And away from the poverty tag.

However, when it comes to financing from Western powerhouses, it is the films that conform to a pre-determined notion of what Africa is about that are smiled at and blessed with capital.

The Other Africa is quite different from the one we're used to reading about and seeing on TV. Its children are sprightly and not sick with flies sticking to their faces. Its men and women are resourceful and not refugees. And its landscapes are quite simply, stunning.

It is this Africa that needs to be celebrated. Not the way we want to. But the way it really is.




By Vinita Bharadwaj, Special to Gulf News

Published: August 02, 2007, 23:15. Vinita Bharadwaj is an independent writer based in Dubai.


"
source

I love to read articles that teach a different perspective and makes you question them. I'm starting to sound like a GP teacher, but i've always been known to disagree with a lot of things. But of course you can't disagree out of your ass, it has to be backed up by facts. And of course, consider the other point of view. There's a pro with every con.

This is partially the reason why my body clock is royally fucked. I can read till I fall asleep, with my mouth hanging open and my hands still on the keyboard of my Fujitsu.