Everyday Africa Response.

     What are some of the things that came up on you mind when you hear the word "Africa"? That was the question that I needed to think about when the founders of Everyday Africa came to visit my journalism class. Some of the things that came up on my mind when I think about the word "Africa" are Aids, Ebola, War, Kidnapping, Starvation, and much more stereotypes negative things. Basically, these are the same words that my classmate came up as well. I am sure that is what most people came up with when they hear the word "Africa". However, after the visit from the founders of Everyday Africa, they completely changed the way I look at Africa. Everyday Africa is a project on how Africans live everyday in Africa. Showing the "other side" of Africa, beside the typical negative things what people usually think about Africa. 

     It takes a photographer to be in the position of their subjects to understand them. Regular "parachute" photographer would not really understand the positive side of Africa. They are the ones who take photos on the stereotypes negativities and also the reason why we see Africa the way we do. They are called "parachute" photographer, because just like parachute, they would just go in for their photos they need with out understanding the subjects. Therefore, most of the time they would just photography the negativities. Unlike these "parachute" photographers, Everyday Africa captures the real side of Africa. Even though the negativities are what people want to see, Everyday Africa would rather goes against and show what is real. What you will find on their Instagram and Tumblr will surprised you. You will realize that everything you do here in New York City, you will find them doing it as well in Africa. Such as partying, playing spots, or even using their cell phones are just basic stuff to the Africans. At first, this was just a small project started by Peter DiCampo and Austin Merrill. Then, it became noticed, it was used as a front cover for a magazine, because people actually like to see what is real. That's when they started getting sponsorships from companies to continue to do what they're doing. After, that's when the "Everyday" project exploded. People all over the world starting to create their own everyday projects; Everyday Asia, Everyday Brazil, and even Everyday Bronx, no one would think even a small borough could have so much to tell. However, all these projects share one mission, their mission is to go against the stereotypes and to show the viewers the real picture on where they live or grew up. 

     I thought the visit from the founders of Everyday Africa was great. It made me want to start my own project in the future. I think it takes a lot to start something like this since it brings no incomes, but DiCampo and Merrill still managed to spread the positivities to us and the world. I hope they will continue their tour and inspire more younger generations.