The press shapes views of Africa, U.S., panel says

Student panelists shared their experiences on the topic.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Even though black people from Africa and America share many cultural traits, challenges and other commonalities, some American blacks still harbor certain stereotypes toward their African counterparts and vice versa.
Numerous perceptions and images -- many brought forth and reinforced by the media -- do a lot to feed such myths.
That was a central tenet of Monday's forum "Going Beyond Stereotypes," in the Ohio Room of Youngstown State University's Kilcawley Center. The two-hour dialogue session, sponsored by YSU's Africana Studies Program, looked at such perceptions and examined ways to transcend prejudices between the two groups and others.
The session featured a panel of four YSU students who are members of the university's African Student Union and Pan African Student Union and who shared their expertise and experiences. Madonna Chism-Pinkard, community relations director of WFMJ/WBCB, served as moderator.
A YSU student kicked off the forum by asking what African blacks who come to this country sometimes think of American blacks.
The press often shapes their views of the United States by portraying the country as free of poverty, homelessness and other ills while conveying the image of Africa as filled with disease and poverty, said Peter Koranchie, a YSU graduate student and panelist.
'Like Hollywood'
"Most Africans who have never been to America see America through the eyes of the media. They think everything is like Hollywood," noted Koranchie, adding that some American blacks pull back when they hear his African accent.
Many of the ideas the media put forth about America proved to be misleading after she arrived and became more accustomed to life here, added Adja Traore of the African Student Union, who also served on the panel.
Tazwell Franklin, a telecommunications major and panelist, said that more needs to be in place to help black Africans who come to America make key adjustments to the culture.
"We should welcome them with open arms. That door should be open no matter what," he said to applause.
Ra'Shawd Davis, president of the Pan African Student Union and also a panelist, said he was taught at a young age that many African blacks have negative feelings toward blacks from America. It's important for him to reconnect with African black people, Davis added.
Prejudice divides many blacks and makes it harder for them to come together for common causes, noted Samuel Adu-Poku, who teaches art education at YSU. Dialogue is key to removing such barriers, and traveling to Africa will show that poverty is only part of the bigger African picture, Adu-Poku noted.
Though keeping an open mind is important, it's also important for American blacks to be careful about the images they spread of themselves to the rest of the world, added Kenneth King, who facilitates a black history class at New Bethel Baptist Church on Youngstown's South Side. Blacks from America should travel to Africa more to widen their perspectives, King added.