President Trump. Photo: Gage Skidmore-Flickr
As a Ugandan immigrant, I wasn’t surprised by President Trump’s reference to Haiti and African countries as “shitholes.”
He launched his campaign by referring to Mexican immigrants as “criminals,” “rapists” and “drug dealers.”
I’ll use Trump’s racist outburst as a teachable moment.
Most students in my Contemporary African History class at John Jay College have little knowledge about Africa. During the first class, I ask students about the first thing that comes to mind when they hear “Africa.” Invariably, answers include “diseases,” “poverty,” “killings” and “jungle.” Translation: Shitholes.
Students are stunned to learn that Congo’s estimated resource endowment is $27 trillion; yet Congo’s per capita income is only $1,529 while that of the U.S. is $57,466. We explore the reasons behind African impoverishment.
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