Source: bestanimations.com
No doubt America is one of the greatest countries in the world, both in the past and currently. From an almost invincible military base to an exemplary democracy pace to the historical sojourn to the moon to pioneering stance on the Internet invention, American has proven to be a great nation, indeed.
American-African Age-Long Ties
Over time, in history, there have been varied relationships between American and African countries. The most apparent first contact with the Africans by the Americans, I guess, could be traced back to slavery, a time 'when America viewed Africa and Africans, purely as a source of labor' [mrdivis.wordpress.com]. These relationships have grown to become very complex and has really changed progressively. However, there is a lot of distrust of Africans about Americans and their motives, which is justifiable when you look at the historical relationship.
Profound gratitude should go to some notable figures from America who have not only assured confidence in Africa, but have impacted on Africa. These include Mark Zuckerberg, who professed that 'the future will be built in Africa' [forbes.com]. Zuckerberg has not only boosted the confidence in African Entrepreneurs with his words, but has funded some of their pet ICT projects, among which are Andela, a software company.
Worthy of mention also is Bill and Melinda Gates of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The duo has indicated their passions and confidence for Africa by clearly expressing their beliefs that the solutions to Africa’s greatest challenges can come from within Africa, and especially by supporting the eradication of Polio from the continent.
It must be stated that America, as a whole, has donated millions of dollars in aid and has helped out greatly in famine relief and in combating HIV/AIDS throughout the continent, though sometimes done with 'strings attached' in many instances. Many then, like the Rwandan human rights activist Monique Mujawamariya, believe that 'United States has no friends, only interests.'
Situations get more confusing when one begins to consider a derogatory statement made by the 45th and the current President of the US, Donald J. Trump, about some immigrants from some countries—including some African countries about some immigrants in America. President Trump had few days ago described Haiti, El Salvador and parts of Africa as being “shithole countries” in a meeting with the lawmakers in the White House.
During a discussion on a potential immigration deal with the lawmakers, Trump was said to grow frustrated at the suggestion that he restores protections for immigrants from countries who had temporary protected status, which he had revoked. At this, he blurted out: “Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?”, suggesting the U.S. brings more immigrants from places like Norway and others [time.com].
Having expressed my respect for America (and Americans alike), I must say I was very disappointed to have got this from the country's number 1 citizen of my one of my favourite international territory.
Evidences We Are Not Shithole Countries
I've always heard Americans think Africa is one big wild animal reserve; perhaps an impression derived from The Lion King movie. Well, being an African by heritage and having spent all my life within the continent, I can proudly affirm we've got some beautiful, breathtaking monuments and people across the continent, that defy the strongly held conviction that the continent is a shithole continent, and that lots of Americans and many others will find attractive too.
This article has been drafted to, in my best capacity, justify this. First, I'd like to acknowledge and appreciate the consolations given by the musical band, U2 recently in a remark during the 60th Grammy Award event to correct this impression, saying 'Blessed are the shithole countries, for they gave us the American Dream.'
I have featured to the world some of my favourite 10 African Monuments spanning across the continent—Southern Africa (Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa); East Africa (Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya); West Africa (Nigeria); and North Africa (Morocco, Egypt). I have included indicators to beautiful places that you don't wanna miss. They are places that have been voted for by tourists to be great places to visit, and that exonerate Africa from being a 'Shithole'.
- Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe: a waterfall in southern Africa on the Zambezi River at the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
- Bo-Kaap, South Africa: a multicultural area of Cape Town, situated on the slopes of Signal Hill above the city centre. Bo-Kaap is known for its brightly coloured homes and cobble stoned streets.
- Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar: a prominent natural group of 800 years old baobab trees lining road of western Madagascar—a landscape that draws travelers from around the world
- Ibeno Beach, Nigeria: A blissful destination for tourists stretching over 245km on a sand bank in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria; a little haven for leisure seekers with roaring waves, spots for sunbathing, unpolluted foliage of the mangrove forest, cool breeze from the water and a lush surrounding that give this destination an unimaginable allure for tourists. [travelstart.com.ng]
- Chefchaouen, Morocco: a city in the Rif Mountains of northwest Morocco, known for the striking, blue-washed buildings.
- Zanzibar, Tanzania: a tanzanian island with breathtaking spots to escape from the world. Turquoise-blue water; shallow sandbars perfect for wading; World Heritage Site of Stone Town—all reside in Zanzibar. [tripadvisor.com]
- Piton de la Fournaise, Réunion: currently one of the most active volcanoes in the world and a major tourist attraction on Réunion island, I bet you will be blown away.
- Fez, Morocco: Fez has got one of the most beautiful artifact and interiors that left invading tourists jaw-dropped.
Source: bloomberg.com
- Nabiyotum Crater, Kenya: one of the nature's best, a geological marvel, a remnants of a collapsed volcano in the middle of Lake Turkana in Kenya. Without any doubt, it is an impressive landform, described in a Telegraph photo as the world’s largest desert lake and the world’s largest alkaline lake in the Great Rift Valley. [charismaticplanet.com]
Source: charismaticplanet.com
- Nile River, Aswan, Egypt: Every year countless people from all over the world visit the fascinating Nile River making Egypt such a sought after destination. [egypttoursplus.com]
Source: cntraveler.com
Nice ride, I guess.
Africa, no doubt, have got many more beautiful places and people, just like every other places on earth. I am permanently of the opinion the world becomes a better place, only if we can stop racism and unite together.
