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The African continent comprises 54 countries, each with a unique history that has shaped its languages, ethnic makeup and cultural traditions. Yet many Americans tend to lump all the nations together under one giant picture of “Africa” — a picture that, unfortunately, often includes only negative stereotypes about poverty, war, disease and lack of progress.

“These negative images are not benign — they harm the continent,” says Joyce Millen, assistant professor of anthropology. “Most countries in Africa are growing and experiencing a renaissance, yet due to the continual bad rap the continent gets in the foreign press, potential investors and trade partners fail to see the enormous promise in particular countries. Most people are surprised, for example, when they learn that Africa’s major cities have modern, sophisticated architecture, industries and telecommunications systems.”

Educating others about the true nature of the continent and its diversity is the goal of a growing celebration at Willamette called Africa Week. For the past two years, the University hosted one day of Africa-related events, but with increasing interest among students and faculty, the program expanded this spring to an entire week.

This year’s activities included screenings of films about Africa, a workshop exploring the resilience of Sierra Leonean women and the creativity of young African musicians, discussions on African sculpture at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, and presentations by students who have studied abroad in South Africa, Ghana, Egypt and Uganda. The campus community was able to taste African cuisine all week in the University’s dining facilities and peruse an African market on the final day.

“We want people to celebrate the diversity of Africa’s nations, and not just think of the continent as one country,” says Kelsey Walsh ’09, one of the organizers. “We’re lucky to have professors like Amadou Fofana [assistant professor of French] and Joyce Millen who care about teaching what is good about Africa.”