Tags
African Studies Association, Aid for Africa, DC metro, Dupont Circle, International Relief and Development, SAIS, USAID, WMATA
I find it very interesting when organizations engaging in the development field spend money to advertise on the metro. International Relief & Development had a big campaign about a year ago. I’ve even seen a USAID ad at the Dupont Circle Metro. Are they trying to target SAIS students? Do they think the interest is not already there?
I spotted this poster as I exited the metro on my morning commute. I’m not familiar with Aid for Africa, but they apparently have a diverse array of members, from the African Studies Association, to country specific organizations (Ghana, Guinea, Rwanda, Mali, Uganda), and faith-based institutions.
My thoughts are that it is ‘time to do something’ beyond advertising on the metro. Am I being unfair?
Africa in DC 
What constitutes doing something? The whole thing feels wannabe Messianic. Americans really need to stop thinking of a whole continent as a impoverished basket case that needs the largesse of Western intervention to fix. It’s deeply condescending to Africans.
I tried to figure that out from their website. I think giving them money is doing something. Volunteering your time sounds like a second, slightly less preferable alternative.
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