this post was submitted on 20 Jul 2025
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I have a history BA, from a decent size school. Every year I looked for classes on African history that weren’t Egypt. Over five years, nothing. Tiptoed around the continent in a southern hemisphere survey class, but no “History of the Mali Empire,” no “West Africa in the 20th century,” nothing even resembling a introductory survey of the continent.
I have massive gaps in my understanding of the continent, and it drives me crazy. I have a couple of books I’ve collected to piecemeal something akin to an understanding, but it’s so goddamn frustrating that the US education system, even up to the collegiate level, simply omits an entire continent of people.
Same, though from a dinky little local uni instead. I majored in international history - all I ever got was a briefly-offered class on the general history of the African continent - including Egypt, spanning some 4000 years, and with a focus on the colonial and post-colonial periods.
A shame how understudied it is. Unfortunately, I'm given to understand that it's not just US universities that ignore it.