“Silhouette Giraffe and tree line with orange sunrise-or-sunset horizon” by Jonatan Pie on Unsplash

A Pop Cultural History of Africa

Africa has long been a source of fascination, both good and bad, for the Western world, especially the U.S. I don’t think anyone needs a history lesson. And yet, Africa holds a romanticized place in our public imagination and inspires much of our popular culture. Some might call this appropriation; some might call it appreciation. Yet understanding Americans’ obsession with Africa requires a close look at some of Africa’s biggest…