ASIAN PERCEPTIONS OF BLACKNESS (Part 2)

From part 1, we know that We have asked a few questions to delegates who are from different backgrounds. Someone is a professional trainer, someone is an Entrepreneur. We have interviewed students, researchers, and engineers.

Let's see what they have to offer us!

How did you get to know about Africa?

James: Well, Africa has always given me a positive vibe. For me, Africa means friends and food. Recently attended African conferences in Hong Kong. Though in high school, there was nothing related to Africa. So, I gathered knowledge by reading books, history books, recent conflicts in Africa from the news.

Joanne: Don't really have much experience! Indonesia is diverse on its own, they really don’t have people from other countries in Indonesia. That's why I am interested in learning, following the social justice movement, racism-related issues in America.

As many people know about African culture, how it affects their well being and identity? Why do you think they always feel they are invisible?

Joanne: Well, in general, People mostly believe what has been shown in western media. People think that Africa is a poor country, people live in poverty but in reality is not that bad. Totally agree that news media amplify the negative side more rather than focusing on reality and history.

What type of thoughts do you get when you hear the word “Africa”?

James: Kilimanjaro, it's my dream to go there. I read a book about African conflict in world war 1, one of the fields of operation was in Kilimanjaro. I got fascinated with the story of defending European forces, so the story, the view, and the scenery made me more interested to visit.

Joanne: Stereotypical thoughts, deserts, and poverty! I know these are not true. That is why I am trying to know more about the culture to understand what is right and wrong. Also, I am passionate about trying African food and outfits. 

"Unfortunately, The Indonesian education system doesn’t cover much Africa culture or history."

That’s why most of the Indonesian population gets the idea of Africa from the Mass media.

Chloe: Dad told me about ancient Egypt. That's how my journey knowing Africa begins. Later on in Africa Center from Innocent who is from Zimbabwe, I got to know a lot about the northern and southern conflict of Africa.

Rohan: I have participated in MUN and that's how I got my first exposure to African Culture. To be honest, the conversation about Africa doesn’t happen on a regular basis. That's why false information regarding culture and continent, human rights speared by mass media play a huge role to create an impression.

Sohan: Pretty Stereotypical news I heard for the very first time. The first pictures that came to my mind were from movies like 

"God Must be Crazy, Discovery and National geography program, wild animals, Movies - Hotel Rwanda, Queen Gateway."

Gulzari: “Black”, the very first word came to my mind. According to me, it’s symbolic. I have studied history and news, and the standard of beauty. So, I have positive thoughts about that. I think the capitalist class creates such an impression mostly in society. Because of western media people have started believing white is the standard of beauty. I believe Beauty has no color or standard. Pakistanis find each nationality friendly.

Sally: Wild animals, Animals Migration! I think it is fascinating for people to see and enjoy the migration of animals in Africa. Also, my second thoughts will be related to stereotypes, poor countries.

How much do you know about the language and culture of Africa?

Most delegates are not much aware of language and culture apart from history.

Joanne: I have learned from Diversity in English lessons. Also, I have learned African dialects and literature, history. I found it really interesting that African use English as the official colonial language, where Ikbul, Swahili as a daily conversation.

Chole: I got most of my experience through working in the center, exploring culture, eating food, and learning a bit Somali by having conversations.

Have you heard of any African stereotype? If yes, what were the mediums you used to break those stereotypes?

Joanne: Poverty, not up to the normal living condition. When I have started interacting with people and doing my own research on the internet, social justice movements. Around middle school, I heard about the slavery movement, and my teacher helped us a lot to break those stereotypes. The teacher showed the real pictures of Africa to give a clear idea to students. Also, posting African security guards in different universities also represented stereotypes. But their behavior helped me and my friend’s mind. Need to change thoughts, get more positive exposure.

James: In Korea, people believe that Africans are fast runners, like Hossain Bolt. Another interesting fact we believe, Africa is a chocolate factory. Korea has a chocolate factory called “Ghana”. So many Koreans think Africa is a Choco Nation. Moreover, my research (reading poets, documentation) and friends have helped me a lot to break those stereotypes.

Chloe: Hong Kong does not cover much. Africa has enriched with History and Culture. But all we know about is Chungking Mansion and selling the drug, doing all the crimes.

Sally: Thoughts come to my mind when hearing about Africa, poor, underdeveloped country, hygiene condition! Also, people think it’s necessary to take injections or vaccines regarding viruses. I have been to Morocco so that visit helped me out to break all these stereotypes. I prefer to experience everything by myself instead of listening to others or believing in any news.

Gulzari: When you start being marginalized based on ethnicity, color, you tend to understand other stereotypes as well. The economic situation, Congo Virus issues, and the media have played a huge role. According to me, stigmatization is not only now about Africa, whenever there is a geopolitical issue, but it also starts. Such as the Wuhan Incident. I have a similar experience back in Pakistan as well. Chungking mansion is stigmatized because the dark color is considered more dangerous. Moreover, Debates and Discourses played an important role for me to break stereotypes.

Sohan: African people do come here in Bangladesh to study, so there is more engagement now with African Societies. People are realizing slowly that Africa is not only a country, but it is also a continent with versatile dialects, customs, and colors. Not like kids holding AK47, Hollywood movies have a huge impact, they created black people either aggressive or funny people. Debates, dialogues, and discourses played an important role for me.

Rohan: Genophobia in India! News sells headlines. So it creates more mess than usual. Even though I found out people believe Africans have internet access or not, Africans are underdeveloped, they don’t have any technology. And to be honest, my stereotypes have mostly vanished when I arrived in Hong Kong.

Aren't these really interesting? We have asked them a few more interesting questions. 

For that, you have to read our final part, Part 3.