Poverty Is Not An Aesthetic | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Stop Using African Locals As Your Props In Vacation Photos

Poverty is not a background photo for models.

261
Stop Using African Locals As Your Props In Vacation Photos

As the daughter of Congolese immigrants, I'm aware, informed, and proud of my heritage. I'm also open to sharing and celebrating my culture with other people because I've seen and lived in the beauty of my country. The stigma around Africa is that it's full of impoverished people living with animals but that isn't all of Africa.

Yes there are countries that are still in poverty but that's due to the government and environment but that's a whole other discussion for another day. But there are beautiful places that make every country in the continent beautiful in its own individual way. So when I see pictures like these, I rightfully offended and pissed off.

So this past week, there was photos of a travel vlogger trending on Twitter calling her out for insensitive use of local people in their element as her backdrop for her vacation photos for Instagram. You can clearly tell that the people in the back are annoyed and have seen people like this woman do this before.




Now people have been asking how I felt about these pictures and I'm going to give you my honest opinion. For one, when I look at these pictures, I see somebody from another country flaunting their wealth and taking pictures to stunt for their followers. Two, when you go to another country you respect the local people and not use them or their neighborhood as a backdrop. And three, the local's faces can tell you that they tired of it. They rather you buy their food rather than going around, touch food their selling and use it as a prop.

This is one of the many reasons why there are some Africans who have animosity when African Americans come over to visit the motherland. A lot of the times they want to show pictures just to prove that they been there. I could go deeper into it but the point of the matter is that poverty is not an aesthetic. You can go visit a country, tour the scenery, eat food, take memorable pictures. But do not make a person's environment as your personal photo shoot

So the next time you go to a country in Africa, be considerate and respectful of other people and not use it as a reason to stunt for the gram.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

192062
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15964
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

458704
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27082
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments