The notion or idea that Africans themselves are primitive and have no recollection of their history so they have relied on European Countries' interpretations of their history. It appears that Africans' contributions to their history are not considered important and are dismissed. Yet, it is the only continent that can be referred to as a whole group that isn't referred to quite often by separate countries but rather a group of people that says something about their unity. 

In which ways can knowledge about the social construction of Africa help us towards a just framing of Africa in the classroom?

It is important to draw some similarities and backgrounds for our younger students before they compare some differences. I teach first graders and I know they might be more fixated on the geography and landscape of the continent, but it's important for students to recognize that telling our own stories using our voice is transformative. 

In which ways can it be dangerous? 

Africa to be socially constructed means that people have constructed an idea of and a definition for Africa itself. In some ways, it can disregard the actual history and land of the continent. It creates an idea of the land and generalizes the diversity or the people, cultures, land, history into one idea.

In which ways can knowledge about the social construction of Africa help us towards a just framing of Africa in the classroom? In which ways can it be dangerous? 

Acknowledging that Africa as a social construction is the first step in a more just framing of Africa in the classroom. The first thing is to be more aware of the resources I use in my classroom. It reminds me to be more critical of the resources I introduce to my students. It allows me and my students to reflect on the author themself. Questions like “is this a eurocentric point of view?” “What is the author’s background and other pieces of work?” “what might be the author’s perspective and motivation for writing this piece?”. It allows students to be more critical of the resources they encounter in the classroom. 

Knowledge about the social construction of Africa helps both the teacher a student break free from just being a passive learner. The social construction of Africa is something that my students and even myself have learned throughout my educational life. Thus, understanding the social construction of it, allows for more doors of knowledge to be opened.

So often we take geographic and historical terms for granted.  However, it is essential to recognize the full meaning and construction of "Africa."  When we glance at a map, we can clearly identify Africa as a continent.  Yet, these maps can be misleading. As demonstrated by the slideshow and readings, "Africa" has taken on different meanings over time.  In the early modern and modern eras, this term was used as a means of defining and "othering" peoples and the land.  It was also used as a means of justifying the inhuman treatment of human beings.  Further, the term misleads both general consumers and students to the misnomer that the continent consists of a singular peoples and land.  In reality, Africa consists of widely diverse peoples, languages, practices, and environments.  In the contemporary era, "Africa" has been claimed as a means of de-colonizing both the history and peoples of the continent.  In short, re-claiming of this term provides a means of exerting power.

It is essential to draw attention to the ways in which "Africa" has been socially constructed.  By framing "Africa," in a more complex manner, we can help our students face and, hopefully, overcome the stereotypes and generalizations that permeate popular media.  Further, this is an important intellectual endeavor that leads our students to develop critical thinking skills.  However, if we over-emphasize the abstractions of the social construction, some students will fail to grasp the "bigger picture."