Focusing on the Americas was the more obvious choice, but I decided to just read the African portion of this chapter. I've heard from people in different societies that America has a very skewed view of Africa. We think that it's mostly a disease ridden, warlord styled continent. And maybe it was, in the past. Reading this chapter will probably not break me out of my mold, but it's important to go outside of my comfort zone, so I am going to read the African portion of this chapter.
Typically when we think of an uncivilized area, we think of a lack of roads, heavy forests, wild animals lurking about every corner. Based off of this, Africa fits this description. Strayer mentions that the main difference between the Americas and Africa at this point in time was that Africa is bisected by the equator, so there is a tropical climate. Africa seems to have a predisposition of appearing uncivilized due to its nature and how it conflicts with western values.
It was interesting to read that a certain Kingdom of Meroe was governed by women on at least 10 occasions (again according to Strayer). Despite the outward appearance of being a "savage land", early African civilizations have some semblance of progressive ideals.
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