Afrika is Not a Country

Africa is not a country. Africa is a huge continent filled with vastly different countries, with vastly different cultures and peoples in every one of its regions. In these different countries there are people who have a wide range of beliefs and religions and socioeconomic statuses and phenotypes. There is nothing uniform about the African continent.
Although there are rich parts and poor parts of any given country in Africa, the wealth of a region doesn't determine its worth or beauty or make its' inhabitants any less blessed to have the company of other resourceful and cultured individuals. The lack of privilege afforded to African people makes them no less beautiful and worthy of everything this world has to offer.
I celebrate Africa and its diaspora for its strength and resilience in the ongoing struggle to overcome colonialism, racism, and the violence of the world economy. I wrote this blog post because I have heard Africa dismissed or referred to as a country and encountered people who don't believe it is worth the effort to educate themselves on the subject. But I know better and I choose to honor Africa for what it is. Africa is not a country.
Hyphenated Ethiopian third culture kid. Twitter: @moonchereka

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