Table of ContentsIntroductionDiscussionConclusionIntroductionIn this essay I will discuss whether or not we perpetuate stereotypes of Africa by reading “A long road traveled”. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier (2007) is a memoir written by Ishmael Beah, an author from Sierra Leone. The book is a first-hand account of Beah's time as a child soldier during Sierra Leone's civil war (1990s). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayDiscussionIshmael Beah ran away from his village at the age of 12 after it was attacked by rebels , and he found himself forever separated from his immediate family. He later forced him to join their army and brainwashed him into taking drugs and using guns. I believe that as a reader of this novel, I began to acquire a prejudice of violence and hatred towards Africa that I know is not true. Racial stereotypes consist of constructed beliefs that all members of the same race share the same characteristics and lifestyle (usually interpreted negatively). I will examine both the pros and cons of A Long Road Traveled. I don't think books, press articles, etc. should always focus only on the poverty and poor development of Africa, because we cannot simply base everything on the cultural diversity of Africa on a few stereotypes, because that is what many still believe Africa is a war zone, even though it has developed enormously. I believe that, to some extent, A Long Way Gone perpetuates racial stereotypes because it reinforces negative stereotypes, although this book could also be considered an exception given this particular topic. This book is written from the perspective of someone who has had this experience. and I believe it is his right, as a former child soldier, to be able to share it however he wishes, whether in a negative or positive way, and if there were no books like "Un long way gone", no one would do it. also be informed of this situation. I also think that in some cases throughout the book Ishmael did the opposite of reinforcing stereotypes of Africa as a whole, since his characters are all written with a lot of depth since it is from someone's point of view. 'one who was present in the war and not someone who is influenced by superficial racial stereotypes to develop his characters. That being said, I also believe that some audiences might view this book differently. Since some might think that this book only attempts to portray the negative side of Africa, it gives a view of Africa as a whole as a war zone where all children are stolen from homes and killed or turned into children. soldiers. And readers might also begin to acquire a bias of violence and hatred towards Africa if they are not from there, have not been there, or are more informed, as many of the stories told since Africa speak of tragedies and not of happiness. That's why I do it. I don't think books, press articles, etc. should always focus only on Africa's poverty and poor development, because one cannot simply base the entire cultural diversity in Africa on a few stereotypes, otherwise African stereotypes will never change. and she will always continue to be a,.