African Youth Fight Back Stereotypes Through #TheAfricaTheMediaNeverShowsYou
The Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway, Cape Town. Credit: Adam Harrower
In an era when information is of grand value, what often predominate are false stereotypes. Fueled by the Western media’s selective coverage, Africa has been boiled down to grim images of famine, war, poverty and inhumane living conditions.
To fight back the stereotypes, a group of African youths have taken to Twitter to portray the less communicated beauty, marvel and successes of their continent.
In late June, 22-year-old Somali Diana Salah and a friend of hers initiated the hashtag campaign #TheAfricaTheMediaNeverShowsYou through which they have attracted more than 50,000 images to date from across Africa.
From photos featuring luscious beaches, to bustling cities and cultural celebrations, a myriad of enthusiastic Twitter users have been sharing pictures from their hometowns, or African cities they have visited – pictures the media chooses not to show.
While the initiative called on African youths to communicate how they see their countries, it has also been heaven to those who are down with wanderlust. Who wouldn’t fall for such awe-inspiring images of green landscapes, or lively African arts and fashion, spanning the entire spectrum of soul nourishing colors?
Narrating her incentive for initiating the call, campaign founder Salah told Fusion that “growing up, I was made to feel ashamed of my homeland, with negative images that paint Africa as a desolate continent.”
But after she witnessed her call being answered across various social networks, she was confident to describe the campaign as “amazing!”
Below are some pictures that will surely leave you yearning to visit Africa:
Farrah El Essawi studies Multimedia Journalism and Psychology at the American University in Cairo. She has always had a strong passion for social issues and animal rights and jumps at the opportunity to write about either.
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