Comments on: JPL tour http://langabi.name/blog/2005/04/13/jpl-tour Paul Cook's blog Fri, 18 May 2012 18:14:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Griztown http://langabi.name/blog/2005/04/13/jpl-tour#comment-215 Griztown Fri, 15 Apr 2005 18:43:20 +0000 http://langabi.name/blog/2005/04/13/jpl-tour#comment-215 Paul, very cool. I'm trying to think of something since I've been to Africa that has changed. If I think of something profound I'll let you know. Paul, very cool. I’m trying to think of something since I’ve been to Africa that has changed. If I think of something profound I’ll let you know.

]]> By: Holly http://langabi.name/blog/2005/04/13/jpl-tour#comment-212 Holly Thu, 14 Apr 2005 03:54:28 +0000 http://langabi.name/blog/2005/04/13/jpl-tour#comment-212 Paul - It's great to hear about the panel at UCLA. I wish I could come, but I will be in Colorado and Kansas until the 25th. I really want to hear how it goes, so be sure to post about it. =) What Americans need to know about Africa? Loads. I'm sure you already know a lot of this.... I find many people equate Africa with starving people, civil wars and ethnic conflict. I navigate a fine line in my work: How do I talk about public policy related to ending hunger and not use guilt as a mechanism for getting people to care? And, how do I affirm people's ability to help themselves and not continue this idea of the American rougue savior? Does that make sense? Our media does an awful job of talking about issues related to Africa. Growing up, I watched tons of TV and the only images I saw of Africa were starving children. It's difficult to break away from these images, because our media does an excellent job (for better or for worse) of indoctrinating us into the status quo. This relates back to our discussion about "poverty porn" on my blog. Anyway... Another thing, many people think Africa is a country. I am always shocked that people don't actually know the various nations of AFRICA. Maybe I am crazy, but most people don't call the United States - North America or the people who live in the United States - North Americans. It's kind of ridiculous really. Finally, we have a map in our office that shows the size of Africa relative to other continents. Europe, Australia, North America and South America all "fit" into the continent of Africa. That is an insane amount of space. Darfur alone is the size of California. It's crazy to think about. Apologies for the long post, but I'm excited about your panel. What group is sponsoring the event? Paul -
It’s great to hear about the panel at UCLA. I wish I could come, but I will be in Colorado and Kansas until the 25th. I really want to hear how it goes, so be sure to post about it. =)

What Americans need to know about Africa? Loads. I’m sure you already know a lot of this….
I find many people equate Africa with starving people, civil wars and ethnic conflict. I navigate a fine line in my work: How do I talk about public policy related to ending hunger and not use guilt as a mechanism for getting people to care? And, how do I affirm people’s ability to help themselves and not continue this idea of the American rougue savior? Does that make sense? Our media does an awful job of talking about issues related to Africa. Growing up, I watched tons of TV and the only images I saw of Africa were starving children. It’s difficult to break away from these images, because our media does an excellent job (for better or for worse) of indoctrinating us into the status quo. This relates back to our discussion about “poverty porn” on my blog. Anyway…

Another thing, many people think Africa is a country. I am always shocked that people don’t actually know the various nations of AFRICA. Maybe I am crazy, but most people don’t call the United States - North America or the people who live in the United States - North Americans. It’s kind of ridiculous really.

Finally, we have a map in our office that shows the size of Africa relative to other continents. Europe, Australia, North America and South America all “fit” into the continent of Africa. That is an insane amount of space. Darfur alone is the size of California. It’s crazy to think about. Apologies for the long post, but I’m excited about your panel. What group is sponsoring the event?

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