‘African Countries Aren’t a Monolith’: Content Creator Sparks Viral Reaction to Common Stereotype

In a humorous yet pointed Instagram post, user @tanita.dee offered a clever strategy to confront a frustrating stereotype many Africans face.

The video, which has since gone viral, addresses a common occurrence: when someone responds to learning a person is from an African country by immediately referencing a random person they know from the same place, as if it were a small town.

In what she called a quick Public Service Announcement (PSA), @tanita.dee humorously advises viewers on how to flip the conversation.

She suggests responding with an equally outlandish question:

“If after you tell someone from that you’re from [INSERT A RANDOM AFRICAN COUNTRY] and they reply with, oh, I know someone who lives in [THAT RANDOM AFRICAN COUNTRY], reply with, ‘oh, cool, and that reminds me, I too have a friend from [RANDOM EUROPEAN COUNTRY], do you know them?'”

The comedic advice serves to make the other person feel the absurdity of their assumption, with @tanita.dee encouraging viewers to “keep smiling until you see the sparkle leave their right eye.”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_f1mwaomz4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The playful yet biting commentary has resonated with audiences, especially among those from Africa or the African diaspora, who often encounter such awkward moments.

The video has garnered significant attention, with many people sharing their own experiences and frustrations about similar interactions.

“My coworker is from Nigeria and tells me he can’t believe how often he gets “I know Bob from Tanzania, do you know him?”… best was day after he told me this, I witnessed it happen. Unbelievable,” one person commented.

Another person commented:

“I am white and grew up in Africa (undisclosed) – the amount of Europeans that have genuinely asked, ‘But why aren’t you black’ in the 21st Century is shocking.”

According one IG user, most white people see Africa as one big country:

“Have you ever done a clip on how so many white people speak of Africa like it’s one big country? Actually, maybe all Americans do that and it’s more of an education problem?”

The post by @tanita.dee sheds light on the microaggressions that Africans frequently experience, and does so in a light-hearted, relatable way that encourages people to think before making broad generalizations.

As conversations about diversity and cultural sensitivity continue to take center stage on social media, this PSA is a reminder that awareness can start with something as simple as a thoughtful conversation.