Why people view Africa as some poor continent?

Question

I can't stand it sometimes. As black person, I want to distinguished from the word "african" because people view it as some poor ethic groups.
Not all the countries in Africa is poor. It just the landlocked countries but it had gotten better.

Why is it?

Answer 1

Africa is a continent rich in diversity, blessed with an abundance of natural resources, but cursed with tribalism, corrupt governments, poverty, illiteracy, disease, etc. It's really sad how such a rich continent is so far behind the rest of the world in terms of development. Africans(not all, of course) are so self-destructive! Who else would sell their own kin, yet receive NOTHING in return? Seriously, after centuries of trade; Africa should be much farther ahead. Africans kill their wildlife for momentary gain. People pay thousands to see large mammals in their natural habitat, yet you poach them to extinction! Every year, there is a famine. Granted; you can't control the weather, but WHY can't several countries pool resources, stockpile food or build an irrigation system? It's not all a result of colonialism. Latin America was colonized far longer. If the borders are artificial; redraw them. No one is stopping Africa from determining its own destiny. Millions of Africans leave because the situation is worse in some places than 50 years ago. I have African friends and they will not return, until Africa has a level of development on par with Latin America.

Answer 2

Because all you ever see on the media are starving African children. Compared to Canada, U.S, Britain, France, etc, Africa seems poor. Don't forget, many idiots think Africa is a country, not a continent. Hence the phrase "starving African children," instead of "starving Tanzanian children." People should be proud of being African though, they're actually happy and enjoy life even in the worst times. We can learn a lot from them

Answer 3

Because overall it is poor compared to the rest of the world.

18 of the 20 poorest countries in the world are in Africa and a lot of those countries have coastlines, it's not just the landlocked ones where people don't have enough money/food. Even in the wealthier countries (which people do ignore, you're right on that) there are still large segments of the population who live on incredibly low income. You just don't see the same type of poverty in Europe or other wealthier parts of the world.

Answer 4

You're ashamed of it?? What an IDIOT. MOST of the world is poor, sheesh, stop being such a butthurt pansy and try to learn a bit more about the world you're living in! Look at India, the Middle East, large parts of Asia, Russia, other parts of the American continent!!... most people in the world are living off of little to nothing and are poor! Its not just Africa at all. Ghana and Kenya are actually two of their best countries, and Nigeria has good parts, same as other countries too.



Shucks, America is now poor! The people are just greedy and fat, but look at the debt problem and the economy. At least Africans in many places are happy, Americans aren't.

Answer 5

Your black. I have never met a 100% African not proud to be African. Am African and I love my continent. I hate the leaders but I love being African.

Answer 6

The continent may be wealthy in natural resources (which they promptly export) but, the majority of the land is ruled by despots and oligarchs who keep the populace living in substandard conditions.

Answer 7

Perhaps it's because Although it has abundant natural resources, Africa remains the world's poorest and most underdeveloped continent, due to a variety of causes that may include the spread of deadly diseases and viruses (notably HIV/AIDS and malaria), corrupt governments that have often committed serious human rights violations, failed central planning, high levels of illiteracy, lack of access to foreign capital, and frequent tribal and military conflict (ranging from guerrilla warfare to genocide).

Answer 8

Common misconception? Johannesburg is defiantly NOT POOR! It's a big city :P. And why are you bringing up ethnicity? That has nothing to do with it being poor or not? That is a separate question entirely! And I am American Ebrahim and I do not think that way and I am most defiantly NOT scum thank you very much.

Answer 9

Because of the charities and aids and wars and drugs and just the turmoil the country is in in general. Plus there's that living in huts fighting wild animals stereotype.

Answer 10

because relatively speaking, they ARE poor when compared to developed nations. as far as money, some african nations have a lot. but, the proportion of the general populace that has high income is smaller. they have less purchasing power, fewer services, less infrastructure, poorer healthcare, and many more prevalent problems than developed countries.



so, it's because everything is relative, and Africa is relatively poor.

Answer 11

Not all but many of them are, it still constitutes as a poor continent if the vast majority are poor.

Answer 12

i said that once before all of africa isnt poor they are just going by what the media put out..and thats bad

Answer 13

Because most of it is. If it's not , why do we keep shipping so much FREE food over there? Why can't they feed themselves? If they are not poor , why haven't they paid us back for everything we've sent over there? If there rich African countries, why aren't THEY taking care of their neighbors?

Answer 14

Help us destroy the issue with Darfur by killing those killers and fully take over South Africa and then we will be on the right track.

Answer 15

Well, it is definitely the poorest continent. You can't deny that.

Answer 16

i aint no bout dat shawty but i do love me sum of dem dark skinned choclate sistas id suck on dey titty

Answer 17

Because people suck and follow what is on T.V.



I hope to have my house when i am older in Nairobi ;)

Answer 18

Because it really is.

Answer 19

sub saharan africa is!

Answer 20

Only those American devils! Filthy scum.

Answer 21

It is.