How NOT to Write About Africa

How NOT to Write About Africa

http://hollisramblings.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-not-to-write-about-africa.html

Not feeling particularly inspired to write myself tonight, I stumbled upon
a brilliant piece of writing that I had found and read once before but had
not recorded, and thought was lost to me. I was so happy to find it again.
It is actually quite famous in some circles concerned with Africa, and
it's bitter satire hits close to home when you are an expat writing in
general about Africa.

The piece was written in 2003 by Binyavanga Wainaina, a Kenyan author and
journalist. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binyavanga_Wainaina
http://www.granta.com/Magazine/92/How-to-Write-about-Africa/Page-1

Many of you will know this piece (and it is always worth re-reading!), but
for those of you who don't, especially the writers and those who are not
familiar with Africa – this is an eye opening commentary on how the west
has portrayed Africa for so long. To me, it needs to be read, sarcasm and
all. The stereotypes are disturbing and 'in-your-face'. It's brilliant.