True Size of Africa

It was definitely a new learning experience about the analysis of the world map in class. I have never taken an in depth look at if the sizes of these countries are really what the designers of these map seems to be? But I was wondering why would they “lie”?  After being in class I did realize that Africa is massive compared to the image perceived on maps or globes. Africa is bigger than China, USA, India, Bangladesh, Greece, Mexico, Peru, France, Spain, New Guinea, Sweden, Japan, Germany, Norway, Italy, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Nepal out together!
How is this notion in relation to Race, Racism and Colonialism and our everyday lives related? Firstly, I would say that nothing should be taken at face value due to colonialism. Who designs and creates these maps? Definitely not Africans but people from the US and mostly Europe therefore they would never make Africa look bigger than them.

Furthermore it’s very sad that from a toddler age children go to school and learn these maps without knowing the real truth. Sometimes they would never know the real truth because if I didn’t take this course, I would have never known. Colonial knowledge and attitudes has influenced the way we learn and what is considered “truth”.  How about Racism? What does it tell us? Well by understanding that Africa is allot bigger than all countries mentioned prior, It shows that Africa can never be given and will never be given the credit they deserve and is even cut short of the representation of the land mass on the map! The map refuses to show how powerful Africa is in regards to how it dominates the world in terms of size and population of people. Another way Africa is degraded is through the media. I have realized that every time Africa is spoken about, I see images of powerless and pregnant women with lots of kids and fly infested babies. Why isn’t anything else spoken about? A touch on the positives of the culture, positives on the politics and people for western people to see would be somewhat educational than the constant downgrading. I understand that Africa has masses of the poverty but that is everywhere!  Furthermore, some people that have been dying in Africa are soldiers fighting or mothers fighting for their kids. Why don’t we ever hear about these elements in Africa? Westerns believe that Africans are primitive, living in an area no technology whatsoever; Isn’t this the reproducing colonial and racist attitudes? When does it ever stop? I would say that Africa is in need of positive publicity. It did not start of well with showing its true size, somehow the reproducing of racist attitudes should stop and it starts with the media. The map is actually a form of media, racial identity is seen throughout here from children as young as the age of 1 develop their attitudes through what’s implemented to them by their parents and media. If parents teach their children what is on the media, negative stereotypes and racial attitudes will continue to persevere. When these children eventually grow up with all these challenges of being black portrayed by the media, they become confused about their identity and how they should act being black.  The map is a form of media, the media is everywhere. Negative misrepresentations can only be stopped in our schools and in homes because colonial attitudes will always be reproduced by the media once “white” people own these media companies. Negative images starting with the map are very reflective and a norm of our society. We all must fight towards uniting that can bring about positive strengthening to all races and make every color proud of who they are. Everything comes in different shapes, sizes and color and we accept all these material things fully; Why not people?