[hitekker]

A little sharp but I think you're onto something. It feels like those writers want to be even-handed when describing Africa: talk about the ills and then extend goodwill. The problem is that, because they don't know what they're talking about, they default to platitudes. Cheap, naive words which to reveal more about them than their audience. The writer implies "I know you" with emphasis on the "know" is rejected by the audience who says "You don't know us" with emphasis on the "you".

When pressed, the writers will often claim they were just "sharing their experience". But experience alone is only one part of knowledge; certainly not enough to support their original, sweeping claims. I think that's why credible writers will carefully caveat their words; they want a real connection with other people, not a fake connection that only serves the self.

[scabarott]

Well said. In general there's no winning on boards like this. Most people here are ignorant of most of Africa and Africans in general, but that doesn't stop them from pontificating and being condescending know-it-alls