As a French/Guinean, I lived in both countries and experienced both educational systems. History was taught very differently, for instance in France, it was as if nothing interesting ever happened in Africa, besides slavery and colonization. In Guinea, I learnt all about the French monarchs or the American civil war, as well as the Great African Empires. It was quite a shock to realize that the stories of Sundiata Keita or Mansa Musa the great were unknown in that part of the world.
I began to realize that the misconception of African history was not only at schools, but outside schools as well, people just didn't know. Living in the Midwest now, it seems that it's not only in France but here as well, African history is simply not known.
That's why I decided to teach the Great West African Kingdoms class, in the hope that people will have a greater appreciation of the history of Africa and its people, and that our history did not start with slavery and/or colonization.
Below are some resources/links if you want to know more about my culture:
I began to realize that the misconception of African history was not only at schools, but outside schools as well, people just didn't know. Living in the Midwest now, it seems that it's not only in France but here as well, African history is simply not known.
That's why I decided to teach the Great West African Kingdoms class, in the hope that people will have a greater appreciation of the history of Africa and its people, and that our history did not start with slavery and/or colonization.
Below are some resources/links if you want to know more about my culture: