Evaluation Criteria

Do and Don’t when writing or teaching about Africa

	Use the names of specific countries where appropriate. Include North African countries when focusing on the continent		Avoid the Africa is a country approach Avoid separating Egypt from discussions about Africa.
	Present problems such as hunger, poverty, disease, and war in global contexts and highlight African solutions to problems.		Avoid perpetuating stereotypes of Africans as hungry, poor, unhealthy, and the continent as consumed with war, political strife or corruption.
	Emphasize African perspectives and actions.		Avoid overemphasizing western solutions and western celebrities.
	Employ words and phrases that you would normally use when discussing life in the U.S.		Avoid offensive, inaccurate or biased terms listed below. Offensive and Inaccurate terms: natives, tribe, hut, jungle, witch doctor, dialect, primitive, warlike, fetish, uncivilized, pagan Western bias: developing, under-developed, civilized, emerging, backward, non-white, non-Western, communist
	Emphasize typical social groups and activities with which Western children can relate.		Avoid highlighting exotic practices and small minority groups.
	Focus on animals that most Africans commonly see (domestic animals and small game).		Avoid safari and big game themes.
	Strike a balance between information on men and women. Discuss the problems women have faced in historical and global contexts. Provide examples of female politicians, presidents, farmers, professionals, etc.		Avoid depictions of African women as subservient,  deferential, or powerless.
	Make sure images (if applicable) are representative, diverse and non-stereotypical. Illustrations should correspond to the time period, geographical area, ethnic group, etc. Show Africans in contemporary dress styles.		Avoid overemphasizing people with few or no clothes, in masks, grass skirts, etc. Avoid stereotypical art activities such as building “huts” or making generic “African” masks.
	Present history in chronological stages beginning with early and ancient times.		Avoid an overemphasis on the colonial period and the actions of Europeans in Africa.
	Describe local African religions respectfully.		Avoid simplistic vocabulary and discussions e.g.  “animists,”  worshiping ancestors.  Describe the longevity of universal religions in Africa e.g. Christian roots in Ethiopia in the 3rd century c.e. and Islam in East, North and West Africa (8th-9th centuries, CE)
	Discuss African leaders within historical, political, economic, and social contexts.		Avoid simplistically blaming corrupt leaders for the country’s ills.