Stereotypes In Curtis Keim's 'Mistaking Africa'

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“Mistaking Africa” is an eye opener for curious minds and truth grabbers. Curtis Keim’s book presents the negativity and reveal the true essence of Africa. Keim shows us the most used stereotypes and misrepresentation of views that Western society and others have implied to Africa. Kein goes into strong details about where these stereotypes came from, how these stereotypes harm Africans, and how we can change our views to help educate ourselves. These stereotypes are damaging and it shows how society as a whole has a hard time opening up to different cultures and lifestyles. One chapter that’s significant is chapter five titles “Where is the Real Africa?” This chapter discusses the difference between what we want Africa to be versus how Africa really is. It helps explain pattern ideas and how to leave these received molds in order to more forward and learn the true meaning to African …show more content…

Western society has set a high standard of what they believe others should have, how their native people should think,behave, grow, and accomplishments that should already be made. Yet, Western culture feel that they are superior to others and they are trendsetter to the way of life. Keim shows the stereotypes created against Africans and how we can get rid of these stereotypes all together. In order to understand someone or something different we must understand their language. Keim explains “because language is the major key to understanding how people mentally organize the world around them.” (p.4) It’s also important to learn African language because not all words are interpret the same way. For example, in chapter one Keims describe words like “native, hut, warrior, shield, tribe, etc are commonly associated with traditional Africa.” (p. 5)

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