Children Quote by NoViolet Bulawayo
““And when they asked us where we were from, we exchanged glances and smiled with the shyness of child brides. They said, Africa? We nodded yes. What part of Africa? We smiled. Is it that part where vultures wait for famished children to die? We smiled. Where the life expectancy is thirty-five years? We smiled? Is is there where dissidents shove AK-47s between women's legs? We smiled. Where people run about naked? We smiled. That part where they massacred each other? We smiled. Is it where the old president rigged the election and people were tortured and killed and a whole bunch of them put in prison and all, there where they are dying of cholera - oh my God, yes, we've seen your country; it's been on the news.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: We Are All Completely Fine, NoViolet Bulawayo, 2015
The speaker recounts a series of stereotypical, grim images of Africa, highlighting how outsiders reduce a continent to shocking clichés.
In simple terms: Africa is reduced to shocking stereotypes.
Key Takeaway
Challenge stereotypes with nuanced understanding.
Themes
stereotypes
misrepresentation
colonialism
media bias
identity
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- journalism
- education
- policy making
- cross‑cultural dialogue
- media production
Key Concepts
cultural perception
power dynamics
othering
Questions to Reflect On
- How do such narratives shape our view of Africa?
- What stories counter these stereotypes?
A Different Perspective
These caricatures ignore the continent’s diversity and agency.
