The World View Of Africa (rated)

[affi]

Originally Posted by frogandtoad

Yes, there ARE African languages where people talk with clicks of their tongue. That is not some joke or misunderstanding. And sure, there is shopping and there are schools, but come on now--it is NOT like the U.S. Most of Africa is in poverty. Most Africans are not attending formal schooling into high school--many do not attend at all.

I lived in Africa too, in a village, and I think it's wrong to suggest that Africa is as "modern" as the US. X-box?? That has me laughing. I'm sur eyou can find it, but if you're talking about Africa as a whole? Not a lot of video games in Senegal, in CAR, in Mali, in MANY African nations. Where I lived, no electricity, no running water, homes made of mud and straw. Yes, THAT is how most people outside the major cities live. That is not how most people outside the major US cities live!!

I LOVE Africa and have been back many times since I lived there. The cities are modern. But most of Africa is not a city. Most of Africa does not have any of the things to OP suggested. It's not embarrassing to say that. It is not a criticism to say that. It is a wonderful place, with many lessons to be learned. There is much more to it than malaria and AIDS and poverty, I totally agree with you. And I agree that it is misrepresented in the media (and highly underrepresented in the media). But Africa is nothing like the U.S. outside of the major cities.

Not one person in my village attended school. The closest was 45 KM away. Yes, the girls WERE circumcised (this is particular to certain ethnic groups--by no means is it done everywhere in Africa). Babies died a lot in my village. Flies were all over the food. Women died in labor. Farmers lived mainly on the food they grew or went hungry. In the city? Totally different story, Western clothes, schools, grocery shops (as well as open air markets), etc. In the village? Yes, the women often went around only in a pagne (like a sarong)--no shirt. There are over 15 languages spoken in this one nation. Unrelated languages. Not in the way languages are spoken in the US--entire areas of the country are mainly one ethnic group or another, with their own culture, with their own way of doing things. Outside of the city, they almost never marry outside their ethnic group. Many of the women speak nothing but their own language. (Most men speak several languages). This isn't little "pockets" of the country, but is all over as the national borders are random. This was all in one of the more "developed" nations--Senegal. Not as "developed" as many parts of S.AFrica and some other African nations, but Dakar was one thing. The rest of the country was totally something else. I have never known kinder people who were as ready to laugh and smile and give what little they had. I lived there over 2 years, and I will always remember the lessons I learned. Always remember what a wonderful place it is. I even adopted a child. But it's like America? No. It's not.

ARE U AFRICAN BY ANY MEANS?

Can you please tell me where in africa people talk like you explain in the first sentence.

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by affi

Can you please tell me where in africa people talk like you explain in the first sentence.

...in and around the Kalahari

[affi]

Originally Posted by El Rhino

...in and around the Kalahari

Where will that be?

What country?

[internat]

The Khoisan language is known for its click consonants. These people live in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.

What does it matter. Let me tell you something. Take it any way you want. I'm not known here on C-D as a black friendly person. I've expressed my preference to live in a predominantly white city, mind you in USA, because there really are social(!) problems. I've been verbally attacked numerous times, called a troll even by some who have turned themselves into "police", for trying to learn when creating politically incorrect threads that have been seen as too controversial.

Don't be too sensitive. You will not only stress which is bad for your health. It can also be used against you. It can be perceived as a weakness, whether real or not. I tell you this because I get the feeling you got your heart at the right place. I can understand your frustration. Have patience.

I know a lot of people from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi. Some are still upset of what the colonialists did to Africa. They have every right to be angry. Others I know (who have luckily been in majority) aren't as vengeful. Sure, there's racism out there. It goes for both sides though. I once went to a "colonial ball party" in England, with only white people there. These were young guys from all over Africa where whites live. Countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. One guy had a shirt with an offensive print - "slavery gets **** done". I also know a white American guy who was helping some black guy with a computer problem, and some white "colonials" said "don't help him", "don't help him", just like that.

There are also some historical facts that one cannot deny. Wrongdoings even against humanity. I collect anthropology books. Like savages, the English that many may consider a highly civilised people, exterminated the Tasmanians. They have done a lot of dirty stuff against other people. Now having established that I think young people on both sides should do their best to live with the other side. People are different. No doubt about that. I even think people are attracted to those similar to themselves. Those of a similar background, not only ethnic, but also social, tend congregate. This is the case with the majority of people around the world.

It's mainly westerners that scrutinise and criticise themselves endlessly. I believe it's because when you have freedom and everything you can wish for materialistically you still have a spiritual need. Don't get me wrong. I'm not religious. I can observe what is going on. It's easy to sit in San Francisco, Portland or Amsterdam and feel sorry for poor Africans, or whatever region potentially rich region with plenty of natural resources, corrupt and selfish leaders, and that have been victims of the divide and conquer strategy of colonial powers. Build a strong Africa, I'm looking into doing business in the future with the contacts I've built. Fair trade, not free trade.

If you haven't understood yet let me tell you I'm conservative, more on the Libertarian side. I have to say I think a lot of the people who go around the problems that exist are prone to intellectual snobbishness. This is the case both in western Europe and North America. I think they are to blame for the wrong image of Africa more than any common bigot.

Originally Posted by affi

Where will that be?

What country?

[nva79]

Originally Posted by frogandtoad

Yes, there ARE African languages where people talk with clicks of their tongue. That is not some joke or misunderstanding. And sure, there is shopping and there are schools, but come on now--it is NOT like the U.S. Most of Africa is in poverty. Most Africans are not attending formal schooling into high school--many do not attend at all.

I lived in Africa too, in a village, and I think it's wrong to suggest that Africa is as "modern" as the US. X-box?? That has me laughing. I'm sur eyou can find it, but if you're talking about Africa as a whole? Not a lot of video games in Senegal, in CAR, in Mali, in MANY African nations. Where I lived, no electricity, no running water, homes made of mud and straw. Yes, THAT is how most people outside the major cities live. That is not how most people outside the major US cities live!!

I LOVE Africa and have been back many times since I lived there. The cities are modern. But most of Africa is not a city. Most of Africa does not have any of the things to OP suggested. It's not embarrassing to say that. It is not a criticism to say that. It is a wonderful place, with many lessons to be learned. There is much more to it than malaria and AIDS and poverty, I totally agree with you. And I agree that it is misrepresented in the media (and highly underrepresented in the media). But Africa is nothing like the U.S. outside of the major cities.

Not one person in my village attended school. The closest was 45 KM away. Yes, the girls WERE circumcised (this is particular to certain ethnic groups--by no means is it done everywhere in Africa). Babies died a lot in my village. Flies were all over the food. Women died in labor. Farmers lived mainly on the food they grew or went hungry. In the city? Totally different story, Western clothes, schools, grocery shops (as well as open air markets), etc. In the village? Yes, the women often went around only in a pagne (like a sarong)--no shirt. There are over 15 languages spoken in this one nation. Unrelated languages. Not in the way languages are spoken in the US--entire areas of the country are mainly one ethnic group or another, with their own culture, with their own way of doing things. Outside of the city, they almost never marry outside their ethnic group. Many of the women speak nothing but their own language. (Most men speak several languages). This isn't little "pockets" of the country, but is all over as the national borders are random. This was all in one of the more "developed" nations--Senegal. Not as "developed" as many parts of S.AFrica and some other African nations, but Dakar was one thing. The rest of the country was totally something else. I have never known kinder people who were as ready to laugh and smile and give what little they had. I lived there over 2 years, and I will always remember the lessons I learned. Always remember what a wonderful place it is. I even adopted a child. But it's like America? No. It's not.

I never said Africa was like America. Infact I specifically said i know most of africa is not like america. and i wasnt the one that posted the x-box live map. i know more about africa than most americans, i am not an idiot, i know africa is very under devoloped for the most part. and just because a small tribal group may speak with clicks of the tongue, your saying its ok for people to generalize all of africa like that? i merely stated that parts of africa were prosperous (mostly alluding to sa), and i never said all of africa is like sa. and does that mean people should not appreciate and learn about africa just because an average african is poor? i dont think so.

[jm31828]

Originally Posted by affi

Did your family Go to Harare, Abuja, Cape Town, Accra.

NO!!! There are poor africans and Rich africans.

If I visit a ghetto in america, DO YOU WANT ME TO BELIVE ALL AMERICA IS LIKE THAT!!! NOPE!!

Yes, actually they did- my dad was in Accra for two weeks. There are not just pockets of undeveloped areas and poverty in Africa- most of the continent is truly that way, with only pockets of more wealth and more developed-looking areas. I should have expanded saying that those I know who have gone there traveled extensively throughout the countries I mentioned for business, and everything they saw in the towns, villages, and even cities was really bad- worse than the worst ghetto they'd ever seen- really just like what you see on TV. They found very small pockets of more developed areas (such as resorts along the coast) that were better, but that was literally it, even the capital cities were really bad all throughout.

[Mississippienne]

Originally Posted by internat

The Khoisan language is known for its click consonants. These people live in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.

The Bantu languages also often have clicking sounds, probably borrowed from the neighboring Khoi-San. I think they sound cool!

[affi]

Originally Posted by internat

The Khoisan language is known for its click consonants. These people live in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.

What does it matter. Let me tell you something. Take it any way you want. I'm not known here on C-D as a black friendly person. I've expressed my preference to live in a predominantly white city, mind you in USA, because there really are social(!) problems. I've been verbally attacked numerous times, called a troll even by some who have turned themselves into "police", for trying to learn when creating politically incorrect threads that have been seen as too controversial.

Don't be too sensitive. You will not only stress which is bad for your health. It can also be used against you. It can be perceived as a weakness, whether real or not. I tell you this because I get the feeling you got your heart at the right place. I can understand your frustration. Have patience.

I know a lot of people from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi. Some are still upset of what the colonialists did to Africa. They have every right to be angry. Others I know (who have luckily been in majority) aren't as vengeful. Sure, there's racism out there. It goes for both sides though. I once went to a "colonial ball party" in England, with only white people there. These were young guys from all over Africa where whites live. Countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. One guy had a shirt with an offensive print - "slavery gets **** done". I also know a white American guy who was helping some black guy with a computer problem, and some white "colonials" said "don't help him", "don't help him", just like that.

There are also some historical facts that one cannot deny. Wrongdoings even against humanity. I collect anthropology books. Like savages, the English that many may consider a highly civilised people, exterminated the Tasmanians. They have done a lot of dirty stuff against other people. Now having established that I think young people on both sides should do their best to live with the other side. People are different. No doubt about that. I even think people are attracted to those similar to themselves. Those of a similar background, not only ethnic, but also social, tend congregate. This is the case with the majority of people around the world.

It's mainly westerners that scrutinise and criticise themselves endlessly. I believe it's because when you have freedom and everything you can wish for materialistically you still have a spiritual need. Don't get me wrong. I'm not religious. I can observe what is going on. It's easy to sit in San Francisco, Portland or Amsterdam and feel sorry for poor Africans, or whatever region potentially rich region with plenty of natural resources, corrupt and selfish leaders, and that have been victims of the divide and conquer strategy of colonial powers. Build a strong Africa, I'm looking into doing business in the future with the contacts I've built. Fair trade, not free trade.

If you haven't understood yet let me tell you I'm conservative, more on the Libertarian side. I have to say I think a lot of the people who go around the problems that exist are prone to intellectual snobbishness. This is the case both in western Europe and North America. I think they are to blame for the wrong image of Africa more than any common bigot.

What does africa have to do with This story???

[affi]

Originally Posted by jm31828

Yes, actually they did- my dad was in Accra for two weeks. There are not just pockets of undeveloped areas and poverty in Africa- most of the continent is truly that way, with only pockets of more wealth and more developed-looking areas. I should have expanded saying that those I know who have gone there traveled extensively throughout the countries I mentioned for business, and everything they saw in the towns, villages, and even cities was really bad- worse than the worst ghetto they'd ever seen- really just like what you see on TV. They found very small pockets of more developed areas (such as resorts along the coast) that were better, but that was literally it, even the capital cities were really bad all throughout.

There are good and bad parts in africa. Some people just think its all garbage down there!!

[internat]

What a farce and paranoia. I suggest you go back and read why I did the post. Take my advice or leave it. You did a post which revealed how you're sensitive about this. Referring to where click languages are spoken in Africa I believe you critically wrote: "Where will that be? What country?". Either you showed a lack of knowledge or felt embarrassed. Among other related matters the "story" is about how Africa is viewed. I tried to explain how it's a complex issue. I've been sympathetic and understanding. I'm pretty sure others can see what I'm saying here. I put valuable time to write that post explaining things from various perspectives yet this is the way you react!? What a shame. How rude. You're making me look like an idiot here. Either way I wish you well.

Originally Posted by affi

What does africa have to do with This story???