How Not to Write About Africa - Binyavanga Wainaina

[Soccusi]

This is bitchy

[NiioVision]

aaaaaaand the comments are obviously going to be ignorant but...can't do nothing about that

as genius as this...I think its various frequencies will probably fly over our heads

I don't appreciate (Red) at all but I like this vid

The Almighty's Blessings

[poonugz]

poor little girl though...you can tell she has no idea what he's referring to even if she can sense the heavy undertones

[TimNicholas]

this is great, but it's really ironic that it's sponsored by (Red), an organization who does a lot to promote the exact idea that the video is criticizing... that Africa needs to be "saved" by the West (and worse - by Western consumerism masquerading as charity)

[DodgerScott]

There are times when irony can be an effective tool. And has been mentioned, there are people who will never understand.

[itcamefromthefuture]

@TimNicholas Maybe someone got through to them and that's why they have supported this. I know some of the people behind (RED) and, while naive and at times self-righteous, they are capable of listening. Now that the problem is on the table the question is what should they do differently? Or is it impossible to redeem a charity that works through the fashion and music industry?

[robbiemoen]

It's really too bad some people don't really grasp the concept of this video.

[dylseixa]

(Red) was started by Bono the most self righteous person in the world.

[Anzetseify]

@dylseixa I totally agree...he has a serious Saviour Complex that he needs to get rid of...he should stop coming to Africa.

[Hardlydangerous]

This dude is right. So next time you pass that big billboard and you see those two sorrowful eyes of the little black kid appealing for aid, ignore it. White mans aid is the curse of Africa. We´ve make them dependent on us whites and they´ve forgetten how to fend for themselves. Ignore the liberal do gooders pleas. They only do it for self gratification. Rather help your own kind, white people. There are enough disadvantaged whites in this world so start worrying about them.

[adamsonxxfifteen]

He's right. This is great.

[ashumila]

Wow. One of the best things that I've seen in a while. Pure greatness. Genius.

[oceans2sky]

truth

[mcaeli]

This is great.

[areaux1]

Why is he reading it...

[Bloodgod40]

At the start of this video he sounds like Sean Connery!

[canadianwilba]

kinda stranvge that its read by an actor whos big break came in Blood Diamond, a movie which included every single stereotype listed... hmm...

[leer33]

That is so true and this is coming from an African.

[Dipstikk]

Plenty of actors take roles simply for the paycheck. This is probably in response to that role, or part of it.

[asmazubairi1]

Most of the "groundbreaking" literature around Africa has elements of what are mentioned in video.Africa has to be "helped", Africans treated like "children".A lot of the humanity lost through the stereotypes of a continent - stereotypes which constitute casual racism and for the most part have remained unquestioned.Having lived in an African country - portrayed by many as "destitute", "disease-ridden", "poverty-stricken" - this video goes some way in partly addressing this disgusting phenomenon

[deuk2010]

Superb! Just great!

Marieme

[crbrs20]

i don't get it and what's with the white girl

[Anarkiados]

Yeah, Africans are people as well. They don't need any special treatment. They aren't retarded, are they?

They desperately need to claim things are racist. THAT's just retarded.

[lupischuck]

this hits the heart....

[wendlw]

excellent

[mspepeiye]

Brilliance--Excellence, this is just great.

And I find it interesting that the little girl sitted on the black&white chair is sitted uncomfortably on the small white edge of the chair.

[byootifulmynd]

I. Love. This.

Thank you!!!

[psychopicasso]

People could benefit from a little African history. The most well known is the Egyptian Empire, not to mention the Mali Empire, Mwene Mutapa Empire and the Songhai Empire.

[Polaroidist]

This is wonderful. Absolutely EVERYTHING he mentions is something I've heard before. People learn that people around the world with dark skin are violent, dirty, and poorly dressed.

No wonder American kids grow up to be American adults whose voting habits reflect the view that American foreign policy should be paternalistic.

[madamsophia]

Excellent

Tell them!

[HammerkopLady]

I love this. Excellent.