1. Use the names of specific countries where appropriate.

2. Present problems such as hunger, poverty and war in global contexts. Avoid perpetuating stereotypes of Africans as hungry, poor and the continent as consumed with war, political strife or corruption.

3. Avoid the offensive, inaccurate or biased terms listed below. As often as possible, use words and phrases that are normally used when discussing life in the U.S.

Offensive and Inaccurate terms

native, hut, jungle, witch doctor, dialect, primitive, warlike, fetish, uncivilized, pagan, tribe

Western bias

developing, under-developed, civilized, emerging, backward, non-white,
non-Western, Black African, communist

4. Emphasize African perspectives and actions. Avoid overemphasizing western solutions and western celebrities.

5. Avoid stereotypical art activities such as building “huts” or making generic "African" masks.

6. Include North Africa countries when discussing Africa.

7. Emphasize typical social groups and activities with which Western children can relate. Avoid highlighting exotic practices and small minority groups such as the Maasai.

8. Avoid safari and big game themes. Focus on animals that most Africans commonly see.

9. Avoid depicting Africans leaders as the sole agents of change. Discuss them within historical, political, economic, and social contexts.

10.Strike a balance between information on men and women. Discuss the problems women have faced in
historical and global contexts..