Another Africa

“Another Africa” provides pictures taken by photographer Robert Lyons in the African countries of Senegal, Mali, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. The photos taken by Lyons present a hopeful counterpoint to the untrue portrayal of Africa as a place of drought, famine, primitivism or constant civil war as well as the opposite extreme that Africa is an overly exotic land. Lyon’s addresses Africa on its own terms, as an insider that does not have the clouded perspective that has been intentionally formed by non-Africans who have much to gain by misrepresenting the continent. Inaccurate worldviews involving contemporary Africa are prevalent in modern society, but are never seen as the driving force in Lyon's photos, signifying that African stereotypes are never the leading components African society. Lyons addresses that the common misconceptions exist but must be eradicated. Through his photos, Lyon’s suggest that we are all humans and we all share most of the same desires and daily routines. He brings to light a reality that differs greatly from the view that Africa is just an exciting place of exotic plants and animals and constant chaos, but beautiful place that needs to be seen in its true form; as well as place where people experience daily struggles and mundane, routine lives just like most others around the world.

Robert Lyons aims to present Africa in a way that is highly relatable to non-Africans to emphasize that the continent does not reflect the prevailing misinformed, stereotypical perceptions.

In the photograph below, a scene of Africa is present that demonstrates the established impression of African life by most uninformed non-Africans. It is a scene that encompasses many of the words and images commonly associated with Africa including the small huts, mesmerizing sunsets, livestock running free, women carrying water basins on their heads, endless nature and serenity with little development, and so on. All of these depictions seem to represent a very primitive way of living that is routinely associated with modern day Africa. Even though the painting is the central focus of the photograph, Lyons is not attempting to prove that this is the predominant lifestyle for Africans; the scene is merely a painting on a wall of a modern African building. This layout illustrates that while stereotypes exist and can seem to be the reality like the belief that the African lifestyle is less advanced, the true reality of Africa is a lot more familiar and less glamorized than the false images engrained in most people. In actuality, Africa does not represent the widespread misjudgments and Lyon’s asserts this truth by including the building surrounding the painting that looks like it could be from any contemporary country.

There is nothing super glamorous about this next photograph scene. The woman is simply reading a book (implying that she is literate and educated despite the belief that in Africa this is uncommon). The set of keys lying in front this woman suggest that she either drives a car or lives in a house (she probably does both), implying that her lifestyle is modern and not representative of African stereotypes concerning modes of transportation and living. In addition, most uniformed observers invision African's concept of beauty to be greatly contrasting other cultures around the world. Contrary to this belief, this woman's jewelry looks very similar to jewelry seen in every other modern culture. It is not outlandish or shocking, it is womanly and fits the standard of beauty accessories around the world.

On Lyons’s website he states his aim of these compilation of photos, “What I’m hoping to do is to show you what we share, what human beings share. Rather than saying what the differences are, I’d like to celebrate our common humanity.”