If you happen to be in New York City this evening, Columbia University’s Teachers College is hosting a panel that will be worth checking out called “Representations of Africa,” hosted by the school’s Center for African Education and the African Studies Working Group. I’m participating on the panel, along with documentary filmmaker Yoruba Richen and activist Kambale Musavuli. We’ve been asked to address a series of questions in our remarks, including:
- How do you see Africa [or a specific African country] represented generally in your line of work?
- What kinds of impacts do these types of representations have on public opinion of Africa?
- How do you represent Africa [or a specific African country] within your work?
- What responsibilities do you think we have when representing Africa in your line of work?
We’ll be approaching these questions from a diverse set of experiences: Ms. Richen’s latest film, Promised Land, examines issues of race, reconciliation, and land reform in post-apartheid South Africa. Mr. Musavuli is a well-known Congo activist affiliated with the group Friends of Congo. I’ll be speaking about my work as the writer/editor of this fine publication (of course), and experiences confronting these questions while working as a journalist and media consultant in Rwanda and Congo.
For additional details about tonight’s event, visit the Teachers College events calendar. The program begins at 7 p.m. and will include Q&A and a closing reception. Be sure to come say hello if you make it!
Photo: Addis Ababa skyline (Enough)