AlterKnowledge discussion challenges stereotypes of Africa

What: AlterKnowledge Discussion Series

Who: UBC student Trophy Ewila, originally from Uganda

When: Friday, October 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave.

What comes to mind when you hear the name Africa? The next AlterKnowledge discussion, hosted by UBC Okanagan student Trophy Ewila, focuses on stereotypes of the complex, multi-nation continent.

Ewila, a fourth-year economics student who is originally from Uganda, will discuss why it is important to challenge the often-repeated stories of Africa as “poor,” “war-torn,” or “undeveloped.” Along with Uganda, Ewila has lived in a few African countries and says it is important for Canadians to understand that Africa is more complex than people assume.

Africa is often defined negatively, says Ewila, because people outside Africa represent it. To get a better understanding, people need to listen to the stories that Africans have to tell.

The AlterKnowledge Discussion series is organized by UBC Okanagan professors Allison Hargreaves and David Jefferess. The series aims to foster community-based knowledge-making, bringing people together to discuss, share, and (un)learn, as a practice of decolonization. This event is free and open to the public.