After reading, a few postcolonial literature novels such as Things Fall Apart, Grain of Wheat, and Dust, I began to have an understanding of why having this as common knowledge is significant until today. They are not about slavery or rather, they are different from the American’s interpretation of the British. We as privileged citizens in a modern first world country would never truly understand what the impact British rule has created over third world countries. I do understand that African countries were not the only ones affected, but they are the ones that suffered the most damage. My assumption is that they are the countries affected the most by racism. The Irish did not have to deal with being belittled for their skin color, nor did the Americans. When it came to Nigeria or Kenya, the British most definitely scorned at the people’s mere appearance. This is one of the reasons why Africa finds it hard to get out of their malicious economic state. Of course, there are many other variables that add on to it, however, British colonization was one that was preventable.

I do not intend for this to be an empathetic blog post so that we can all feel bad for Africa. I am sure that they understand what they are going through, and we could spare them the pity party. What I am also trying to say is that even after reading these novels and knowing this information, I would say that many will still create a one-story aspect of Africa; That all Africans have suffered and lived an oppressed primitive life. We cannot be ones to conclude what they have experienced. All Africans have experienced their own struggles, different from each other just like how we are as individuals in the same world. Let us not assume our stereotypes on other people as it may affect our way of thinking in the long-run. It is best to welcome those around us as equals and create an equilibrium state of peace.

by  Dana Denise Dela Fuente