Why do people think the whole of Afraca is Poor?

Answer 1

Because that is the portrayal of the media. I have a few friends from Africa...they are hardly poor.

I would suggest though, that people do not think the whole of Africa is poor. However, as far as poverty as a whole Africa has a huge concentration.

Answer 2

I would say that most people DO NOT think the WHOLE of Africa is Poor. There are certainly richer regions of Africa (think South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria, as well as the Island Nations Seychelles, and Mauritius, both boosted by tourism) and rich people present even in the poor regions. What is more glaring is the sheer level of poverty in some of the poorer regions. The poorest in Africa are living in absolute poverty, where people can't readily acquire basic necessities such as food, water and shelter, and are living on under 1 dollar a day. This is a much more disastered state than what is considered a poor person in the US or Western Europe. Moreover, African regions have been plagued by corruption, instability, violence and disease, making it easy to stereotype life in Africa as permanently atrocious. It should be noted that these plagues are not limited to the poor regions: South Africa, the richest country on the continent GDP wise, also has the most HIV-positive people in the world, roughly 1/9 of the population.

Thus the African poor are living in a level of poverty that westerners are unaccustomed to, and even the rich regions of Africa can have difficult living conditions! Also, if you think about it, the rich regions of Africa are the exception rather than the rule, further strengthening the idea that the whole of Africa is poor. The bottom 25 spots of the UN quality of life index are filled by African nations. 34 out of 50 countries on the UN list of least developed countries are in Africa. Most of Africa IS poor...this is NOT a myth, or a misconception. It is therefore somewhat understandable that people would generalize about the entire continent.

Hope that helped, good luck!

Answer 3

I think it is just a generalization more than anything. Although it would appear from the media that the most prosperous are the governments and the scammers.

Movie stars running to Africa to save the poor countries and things of this nature only publicizes the poorest side of the Continent.

Answer 4

Will it has to do with colon ism. A lot of countries in Africa were part of great colonies that were run by nations such as Germany, France and England. They were told by the leaders of these nations on what good should be produced in these Africa countries. Also the black Africans were look down by the white colonist. Many black African children today have to pay for the schooling while a lot of White African children get free education such is the case in South Africa. Most of the land in Africa was slated for agriculture and mining and most of people working in these mines and farms are black Africans. They aren't paid a whole lot of money for the jobs they do. So that is one reason why Africa is so poor.
Also wars have caused a lot of problems as war lords and the national leaders try to make their mark on that continent by taking over many African nations by force.
Aids hasn't help the matter much. The Black African males don't use condoms for some reasons they have many sex partners and then they come home to their wives and give them the disease causing a lot of kids in Africa to become orphans who can't take care of themselves.
Also improper agriculture techniques has cause much of the top soil needed to grow food in much of Africa to blow away due to soil erosion.

Answer 5

Because that is what is portrayed in the media and millions of people form their opinions and beliefs about everything based on what they read in the newspapers and see on tv or in films. They take it for granted that if it's on tv or in the news it must be true. Some people do not have access to the internet or other forms of research but for most people it is pure laziness and ignorance when it comes to digging deeper to find out the truth or a more complete perspective about world affairs.

Answer 6

The greater tragedy of Africa stems from them being somewhat incapable of governing themselves. When under various colonial rules Africa as a whole was prosperous. It had order, police, communications, missionaries and a whole host of ably managed industry's from agriculture to shipping. Notwithstanding in many instances the inherent reluctance of all colonial empires to adequately educate and train Africans to administer, manage and run their own country.Tribal ruling is still paramount in Africa in-concert with those who did attain power as empires departed were totally inept in ruling. Emptying every fiance house, open to corruption and murdering / suppressing thousands. Hasn't changed - never will. Apart from a few Nations, Africa has receded back in time!

Answer 7

I don't think African is poor. I know there's South Africa that isn't poor and maybe there are other areas that aren't poor.

Answer 8

Because, the liberal media has to highlight all the depressing things. Watch the news see how many sad things there are in comparative.

Answer 9

sally struthers and all of the humanitarian aid they are begging for