Answer the question – stereotyped Africans
From "loud, study-mad" Nigerians to "needy" Ethiopians, we ask, are Africans stereotyped?
| Saying that all Africans are loud is like saying all British people have blonde hair, blue eyes and drink cups of tea all day. |
Not all Nigerians commit fraud, beat their children, and have cliff top backsides. Stereotypes make us unwilling to look at the individual. Why don't people look at the positive aspects of being Nigerian? Stereotypes are also given to Asians (corner shops) and Turks who own all the doner houses (you want chilli sauce?). Sometimes stereotypes are there for those who refuse to conform to society's rules and regulations, i.e., those who are not English enough.
Senab Adekunle, 18
Africans are stereotyped. When I think of Africans, I think of very loud black people. I also think of Nigeria. But I know that there are many other countries that people do not think about, like Mali, Rwanda and Burkina-Faso. Saying that all Africans are loud is like saying all British people have blonde hair, blue eyes and they drink cups of tea all day. I don't know why we do stereotype people, but we all do it.
Keshia Harvey, 13
Media images of Africans always seem to be starving children, war, uneducated people or scenes of poverty. But not all of Africa is poor, in fact many countries are very modern. African children are seen as living a tough life and having to grow up quickly. Obviously there are some children that are in that position but it's not a depressing life for all of them. That should be considered the next time we watch a "Save the children" advert.
Sekai Makoni, 14
Yes they are stereotyped but isn't that true of black people in general, blondes and many other types of people? Everywhere you go people are stereotyped so really it isn't anything special. Although many African's are offended at the fact that they are stereotyped in reality everyone is. Really it depends on how naïve you are to believe the stereotype.
Gillian Antwi, 14
Of course Africans are stereotyped usually into groups of loud and aggressive/clever/needy and starving. At school there's no doubt that Africans prove to be the cleverest and often the most educated in society. The media portrays Africans as poor, needy and starving. These situations are very real and people are suffering but do you ever see the good points of Africa being shown on TV or printed in the newspapers?
Gabriella Gray, 14
I don't really know any Africans so I don't know what they're like. If the portrayal of Africans in the media is true then leave it as it is, but if it's false then it should be put right. The Africans in my school aren't not seen as nice people, which I think is wrong. They might be nice or nasty, but this has nothing to do with them being African. People also make fun of the way they speak.
Danyel Edwards, 15
About the team
The Answer the question panel are members of Children's Express. This column was published as part of Teen Talk, the Children's Express page in New Nation.
