The Other Side of Africa: 9 Jaw-Droppingly Terrible Quotes About Africa

From suspect slips of the tongue to outright racism, commentary in the West on Africa all too often misses the mark. Here are some of the shonkiest, wonkiest and most unpalatable sound-bites on Africa from prominent figures in recent years. These are some of the lousiest remarks from people with some of the lousiest opinions on Africa, which, unfortunately, reflect a broader naivety and racism in the U.S. and other Western countries. Read and weep.

“There's no reason the nation of Africa cannot and should not join the ranks of the world's most prosperous nations in the near term, in the decades ahead. There is simply no reason.”

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaking at the 2014 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. There is one reason, Joe: Africa isn't a nation.

“Every penny of the (US)$7 billion going to Africa as per Obama will be stolen – corruption is rampant!”

Donald Trump tweet in 2013, responding to U.S. President Barack Obama's “Power Africa” initiative.

The initiative included US$7 billion in investment in energy infrastructure in sub-Saharan African nations, including Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Liberia. Social media users responded to Trump by accusing him of being ignorant. One of the fiercest critics was millionaire Ashish Thakkar, who told Forbes, “If he had traveled the African continent he would understand that this is a ridiculous assumption and that you cannot possibly generalize a continent of 54 countries.”

"The preponderance of South Africa is a different breed of man. I mean that with no disrespect. I say that with great respect. I love them because I'm one of them. They are still people of the earth, but they are different. They still put bones in their noses, they still walk around naked, they wipe their butts with their hands. And when I kill an antelope for 'em, their preference is the gut pile. That's what they f***ing want to eat, the intestines. These are different people. You give 'em toothpaste, they f***ing eat it...I hope they don't become civilized. They're way ahead of the game."

National Rifle Association board member and prominent conservative activist Ted Nugent during a 1990 interview with the Detroit Free Press Magazine.

“Colonialism has a bad reputation in the modern context, but Colonial Africa was a far better place for both black and white before the colonists gave up.”

Conservative writer Jeff Cooper in his regular column in Guns & Ammo, November 2000.

"Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease."

Then U.S. president George W. Bush, during a speech in Göteborg, Sweden on June 14, 2001. How many first world leaders haven't figured out that Africa isn't a country?

“A Back Door For Ebola: Smuggled Bushmeat Could Spark a US Epidemic”

The headline of a 2014 Newsweek cover story. The story claimed immigrants from Africa could spread the Ebola virus to the United States by smuggling “bushmeat” along with them. Yet the story provided almost no evidence to suggest this is a real threat. The story was slammed on social media as “clickbait” spreading unsubstantiated fear about African immigrants.

“He wasn't someone fighting for racial equality. He was the leader of a violent, Communist revolution that has nearly succeeded in all of its grisly horror.”

Conservative political commentator Joseph Farah writing for WND on the death of Nelson Mandela in 2013.

“Nelson Mandela and myself had a wonderful relationship – he was a special man and will be missed.”

Trump again, this time while claiming to have been a friend of Mandela.

"You look like you're ready for bed!"

Queen Elizabeth’s husband Prince Philip said this to the president of Nigeria in 2003, commenting on his traditional robes.

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