Lions and tigers and rhinos. Oh my!

It's something that many Africans have to deal with on a daily basis. Not a Lion King-esque life surrounded by wild animals (tigers don't even live in Africa), but stereotypes of African life. Members of the Organization of African Students (OAS) here at GW have dealt with stereotypes of Africa in the United States, from the ideas that all Africans have AIDS and live amidst wild animals to the myths that polygamy is a way of life and Africa is a country.

Friday night OAS hosted their annual Taste of Africa event, with this year's theme, “Dispelling the myths: the writings on the wall.” The event offered students, faculty and the D.C. community a chance to see a side of Africa that they may not have realized even existed.

“It's a chance for us to teach GW about African culture,” said Lola Olawole-Anjorin, '10, OAS executive board member.

Olawole-Anjorin, who is from Nigeria, said that she has been shocked by some of the things people assume about her home. Most recently, she saw a Facebook group that a girl had started to get a friend to stay in the U.S. instead of trying a study abroad in Africa.

“(The group) said 'She'll get AIDS, get raped or get malaria' and I was like 'are you serious?'” Olawole-Anjorin said.

“Not everyone has AIDS in Africa. Not everyone wears monkey skin to go to class,” she continued.

OAS members presented their event to a packed Marvin Center Grand Ballroom Friday night. The ballroom was decorated with African wall hangings dispersed between African myths written on orange and yellow tissue paper. The 180 people present sat at tables featuring the flags of different African countries. The $10 tickets bought an evening of speakers, entertaining skits, fashion and jewelry shows, prize giveaways, African food, poetry, music, and dance. In addition to OAS, other groups involved with the entertainment included Capital Funk, the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Xi Sigma Chapter, Organization of Latino American Students, Black Student Union and Haute Models.

OAS member Lola Ajayi '10 said she thought that the event was effective in reversing false ideas.

“It's definitely very beneficial because there are stereotypes,” Ajayi said. “There's so much diversity in that one continent.”
The skits in between the other featured pieces in the show, forced people into humorous situations in which African myths were expressed and needed to be addressed.

“We're making fun of the situation, but also using the opportunity to educate people,” Olawole-Anjorin said. “If you didn't know anything before, you will be able to hold a conversation about Africa after.

“Everyone should know the basics,” she continued. “Like Africa is not a country!”

One of the other big issues OAS brought up throughout the evening was the African Diaspora and the tie between Africans and Latinos.

Within the African parts of the evening, Latino culture made an appearance through poetry, music and dance. Elizabeth Acevedo '10 spoke about the subject.

“I think that having the participation of the different groups - and just the fact that (different groups) want to participate - starts the idea of looking at the culture further,” she said. “Mixed people are everywhere.”

Audience member Kachi Odemene, '10, said he enjoyed the entire evening.

“I was supposed to stay here for an hour, and I ended up staying here the whole time.”

This article was provided by: The Daily Colonial
Written by: Morgan Davis