What do we mean by 'the world'?

6 People shot in the US? Front page news. 2 People stabbed in the UK? Front page news. A few people almost drowned after heavy rain in The Netherlands? Front page news. To no one's surprise Ukraine wins the Eurosong contest? Front page news. 

Hundreds of people a year die from starvation or Saudi bombings in Yemen? Zilch. Millions in the Middle East flee their homes because of floodings and/or draughts? Crickets. Dozens die in bombings in Syria? The hearing aids of western media weren't charged. 

Western students are seldom taught about African philosophers or about the great scholars and scientists (click) from the ancient Middle East and Arab cultures. And what do 'we' know about The Separation? Et cetera. It's sad. And bad. 

You probably heard of Mao, Hitler and Stalin, right? In number of people killed under their ruling they form the top three of most lethal dictators. But did they tell you in school that the 'honour' of being number four on the list of most ruthless dictators goes to a king of Belgium? Yet it is true (click). 

When western explorers 'discovered' a river in Africa or South America, they got to name it. Even though the river was already given a name by the local population. Just imagine someone from Nigeria having a drawing made with him standing on the banks of the Rhein River, with his white guides just outside the frame. Would you accept it if someone from outside England would simply claim he discovered the River Thames and named it Gulu (click) and that name would stick with the international community?

But in western science books a discovery apparently can only be made by white, western men. On occassion a woman is mentioned as a great scientist. Provided she's white and her husband was of standing of course. 

'Yeah, but that was in the old days! We aren't so misogynist anymore!' Sure. That's why ten publishers turned down Joanne Rowling's manuscript about a young wizard and she wasn't taken seriously until she started signing her letters with 'J.K. Rowling'. 

You may even believe it if I told you that the author of The Three Musketeers was a white dude. But you'd be wrong. Since his grandmother was a former Haitian slave - of unknown African decent - Alexandre Dumas (click) was of mixed race.

Here's an other picture of someone with a dark skin colour:

Recognize her?

She is 'only' one of the best known African philosophers. Sophie Oluwole was from Nigeria and compared the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates with the ancient African philosopher Orunmila and...but wait, let her explain herself:

It's sad, really, but for many people it's an eye opener to learn that not every 'famous philosopher' is a white male.

We may not always realize, but 'the world' also entails South America, Africa and Asia

Want to read (more of) my short stories? My author page: Terrence Weijnschenk at Amazon

I just lost my part time job and am not making ends meet via entertainment because of covid, so a donation (click) is much appreciated: