Protest Poster

Artist Statement

          For years, Americans have had a dark and gloomy picture of hunger and pain hanging over the image of the African continent. Commercials, blogs, and websites all add to the thunder clap that booms so steadily from the dark skies of American’s African imagination. While the issues they discuss are real, Africa is not a land doomed to overcast skies. There is a bright light that shines steadily, and the light emanates from none other than the land and people themselves.

          In my protest poster I explored this idea that Africa is a land void of happiness. In class we watched a talk given by Chimamanda Adiche, exploring this same idea. I was heavily influenced by this talk because I too have lived in Africa and understand some of the reactions she described in her talk. A more poignant example she described was while she would discuss with her college roommate. Her roommate was astounded by her native language and was amazed by the fact that she knew who Mariah Carey was. I felt that this lopsided perception is prevalent with the majority of Americans, and felt the need to explore it more fully.

          In preparation for this project I sought out some of the media that is fueling this gloomy idea. I found a website called “Save Africa’s Children,” that is a non profit organization made to help the suffering children. Their homepage is smothered with pictures of young children with tears in their eyes and unhappy countenances. One of the pictures that caught my eye clearly was a young baby looking directly into the camera with the words “Give Hope, Give Faith, Give Life, and Help Save Africa’s Children, Give Now” bordering his face. Another piece of media I found was a series of commercials done by the organization “Save the Children.” Their commercials focused in on a single child, sharing his name and where he was from, while quiet serene piano music is heard with the voice of a narrator glazing over the images. Finally, I found a CNN article titled “Why Africa Still Needs Aid” by Bob Geldof. At the top of the article is a picture of many people gathered around a well to fetch water, and the artist of the piece adds to this image by giving us several statistics about African life, such as “40 percent of Africa’s one billion population still live on $1.25 per day or less.”  While it would be impossible for me to argue and try to say that these organizations or viewpoints or not valid, I can say that they are not the whole truth.

          In my piece of selected several pictures showing the natural beauty of the African land. Beautiful waterfalls and rivers dot the land, while the sunsets cast a blanket of peace across the countryside. In the background of the pictures, I included one of a river with miles of crops growing on its banks. Agriculture is one of the most lucrative businesses in Africa, and millions of people benefit from their own gardens every single day. From this many people have their own source of food, and while they aren’t eating steaks, they are eating. I also included several pictures of happy people, especially happy children. Anyone who has stepped foot on the continent has instantly fallen in love with the pure innocence and happiness of the children. I picked these images to capture this notion. Although millions of children die to malaria and other diseases each year, millions more live and become respected members of their various communities. At the center of the poster I placed a clock tower found in Bo, Sierra Leone. Often when Americans imagine Africa, they instantly think of half naked people running about with spears, living in huts. Africa has several large cities and is developing its infrastructure. The clock tower is a symbol of that progress. I also placed a picture of the sprawling city of Freetown, Sierra Leone in the background near the top. The city is filled with clubs, supermarkets, restaurants, and is home to over a million people. The people you find there are vibrant and full of life.

          When I posted this image on Facebook, many people responded in a positive manner. One comment made was, “the world makes you think that Africa is a different place and that a people without much fiscal sustenance must have horrible lives and can't enjoy life without money and technology.” Another person who had also lived in Africa said of the poster, “It is showing your definition of paradise. Paradise is happiness, children, smiles, and enjoying the moment. Happiness is enjoying your surroundings. You don't need money or fame to be in paradise. I agree with you. I have never been with a happier people or been happier myself. Paradise.” It’s important to understand that there isn’t one side to this complex group of people.

          In conclusion, it is very clear to me that there is much more to Africa than dying children and tribes of primal hunters. It is a growing civilization that is ripe with booming modernism and  happy people. While there is still much to improve in the land, we mustn’t forget that there are millions of people who are happy with the lives they have, and happy with where they are going.