It was an “error in judgement,” suggested Associated Press’ director of media relations. Prior, the news platform released an article about a climate change conference with many youth representatives in attendance. It depicted an image of four white environmental activists flanking Greta Thunberg, an up-and-coming, acclaimed youth activist. However, the original photo depicted another one of Thunberg’s colleagues, Vanessa Nakate, also flanking her. The Ugandan activist was ultimately cropped out of the image (Woodyatt). Recent movements have inspired many other youths to spread their messages. However, the coverage of racial minorities in activism, like her Ugandan peer, Nakate, seems to falter.
It is apparent that racial minorities receive less media coverage, but youth activists combat the disadvantage with the unity and support of their communities. In the past, Africans have been discriminated against and abused because of the color of the skin. They were associated with being “intellectually-inferior” and overall, lowly people. Although much of this racism has appeared to dissipate in modern times, racism is exigently prevalent. When Nakate received news of the “cropped-image incident,” she responded, “You didn’t just erase a photo. You erased a continent. But I am stronger than ever” (Woodyatt). She used the insult to motivate herself to further spread her message regarding the dangers of climate change. Not only did her campaign grow but Nakate became a symbol of hope and strength to aspiring youth activists that face similar obstacles (Ngumbi). Ever since the incident, Nakate has been given relentless support from many that include Thunberg, herself. As a loyal ally, Thunberg used her platform to address the lack of representation Africa activists receive compared to their white counterparts such as herself. She accentuated that African cultures and experiences bring a completely unique perspective that needs to be equally covered in the media (“Africa’s Climate Activists”).Nakate’s story is only one of many–that are known.
It’s a shame there isn’t more coverage about activists from Africa because their cultures and lifestyles are unparalleled in many regards; they bring a completely different and valuable perspective. However, Africa contains some of the poorest nations in the world. Many live without electricity or Internet in rural areas. Emerging from their struggles, people are innovative and bring new ideas to the table that are only birthed from necessity and creativity (Ngumbi). African activists also bring important context. Very few other activists can say that the people they represent struggle to have access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, an education, or a job. As minimal spotlight that African activists receive, it is fundamental that their voices are heard because they speak for a massive group of people. Many are discouraged by the fact that their race determines their visibility, but African governments are attempting to change this mindset.
Strides were taken in just the past few years. Last year, South Africa declared June would from then on be recognized as “Youth Month” as a tribute for youth activism in the past, present, and future. Not only are current activists motivated, but women, students, and the disabled are being given new opportunities to voice their opinions, too. Recognizing that education is key for students to become active in youth activism, the South African government increased their financial aid budget from seventy million rand (1994) to fifteen billion rand (2018) which is slightly over eight hundred million US dollars (“South Africa”). On an international level, progress is in the works. An initial step was taken when Nigeria sent youth representatives to the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP25 for the first time in her history. The representatives were predicted to bring unique strengths to the table and play central roles in catalyzing climate change in their home country (Omorogbe). As celebratory as this all may sound, race shouldn’t have a negative impact on activists at a young age. There is no reason why one race’s voice should be louder than another when there is strength behind all of them.
Work Cited
"Africa's climate activists in the spotlight." Independent on Saturday [South Africa], 1 Feb. 2020, p. 9. Gale In Context: Global Issues.
Ngumbi, Esther. M.D. “Amplifying Voices of Climate Activists of Color.” Amplifying Voices of Climate Activists of Color, IPS Inter Press Service, 14 Feb. 2020.
Omorogbe, Paul. “COP25: Nigerian Youths to Play Central Role " Ecoscope " Tribune Online.” Tribune Online, African Newspapers of Nigeria Ltd., 9 Dec. 2019.
“South Africa: Government Celebrates Youth Activism to Advance Youth Development.” AllAfrica.com, AllAfrica Global Media Inc., 10 June 2019.
Woodyatt, Amy. "Ugandan Climate Activist Cropped out of Photo Taken with Her White Peers." CNN Wire, CNN Newsource Sales, Inc., 25 Jan. 2020.
