Branding Africa

Carina Ray writes:

We can't afford to turn a blind eye to the challenges facing Africans, and equally we can't continue to brand Africa, as The Economist infamously did in 2000, as "the hopeless continent." Rather, we need to begin highlighting the significant contributions Africans make everyday to shaping their own destinies for the better. Give serious airtime to the thousands of Sudanese human rights activists and aid workers in Darfur, rather than just the handful of foreigners among them. Instead of solely featuring Hollywood celebrities in the next (RED) advertising campaign, also include the heroes and heroines of Africa who work tirelessly and often at great cost to themselves to improve conditions in every corner of the continent.