Wednesday, January 18, 2006

How To Write About Africa

The formula for how to write about Africa outlined in the most recent issue of Granta.

Never have a picture of a well-adjusted African on the cover of your book, or in it, unless that African has won the Nobel Prize. An AK-47, prominent ribs, naked breasts: use these....

...be sure to include a warm and motherly woman who has a rolling laugh and who is concerned for your well-being. Just call her Mama....


...Always end your book with Nelson Mandela saying something about rainbows or renaissances. Because you care.

1 comment:

Martyloo said...

I have to say that I don't like the anti-elephant stance this article takes. In my mind, elephants can do no wrong and I'll never write anything bad about them. They are indeed good feminists and dignified patriarchs and they take exceptionally good care of their children.