Op-ed: Stop trying to 'save' Africa

Saving Africa has become the sexy, en vogue cause of a new generation of politically active Westerners, writes author Uzodinma Iweala, in an editorial in today's Washington Post.

"It seems that these days, wracked by guilt at the humanitarian crisis it has created in the Middle East, the West has turned to Africa for redemption," says Iweala.

Africans, he writes, though appreciative of the help, "question whether aid is genuine or given in the spirit of affirming one's cultural superiority."

Pointing to the recent I am African campaign, in which celebrities were depicted with "tribal markings" on their faces to show solidarity with Africa, writes Iweala, "Such campaigns, however well intentioned, promote the stereotype of Africa as a black hole of disease and death."

The Western media also often fails to recognize the good work that Africans do for Africa, he says. While Angelina Jolie and Bono receive overwhelming media coverage for the humanitarian work they do to in Africa, work done by Africans such as Nwankwo Kanu or Dikembe Mutombo is largely marginalized or outright ignored.

Africa does not want to be "saved," concludes Iweala. Africa wants to be recognized as a productive part of the global community that can be "capable of unprecedented growth."

READ THE FULL WASHINGTON POST EDITORIAL HERE



