Final/Rough Draft

Rough Draft

The issue I have decided to focus on is the history of Africa as a continent, and the disease HIV/AIDS, and some suggestions on what can be done to reverse the current problems in Africa. It seems to me that the more and more people that profit from the African continent off of resources such as Gold, Diamonds, Petroleum, Bauxite and just about any other resource needs to take responsibility and take there part in developing the nations that need the most help.

History

Africa is the birthplace of Human Race. Africa is where we evolved from apes to the modern race of humans. Africa is also home to one of the first great civilizations “Ancient Egypt” which rose from north east Africa some 5,000 years ago. As time passed on nations rose and fell, and by 500 years ago there were successful cities, markets, and centers of learning scattered all over the continent. Sadly this whole process has been strangled by the prevalence of the greedy European powers.

By the late 1700’s Africans were being exported like cargo to North America to work first as servants then as slaves. The process of reconciliation was brutal. Only recently have some of the human rights that everyone should have, have been restored for the African American community. The African slave trade took place in many places not only America. Meanwhile in the late 19th century most of Africa is being divided between the European powers. However, amazingly a few countries managed to stay intact during this infestation of foreign rule. Currently throughout the continent there is a feeling of devastation. Issues concerning public health are of little concern to most governments.

The Issues

HIV/AIDS

AIDS was first identified as a disease in America in 1981. Since then more than 20 million people have died from it. Africa is hit the hardest, particularly the Sub-Sahara region were an estimated 23.1 / 39.4 are infected. This shows that current efforts are not being successful in keeping HIV/AIDS under control.







Government

Most African governments are not paying attention to there people. For instance in Sudan, were there is a division between two tribes. One lives in the south were Massive oil reserves are located. This southern tribe has little or no clue what oil is yet they are forced out of there homes and killed for living on top of it. This is ridiculous because they do not use the oil. Instead of robbing it from them, the northern Sudanese tribe needs to offer some sort of compensation.


Slowly through mass violence and reform African countries gained there independence

Outline

Africa’s Issues
Marcus Francis
November 2, 2005
I.The people of Africa
A. History
1. 500 years ago there were successful cities, markets, and centers of learning scattered all over the continent
2. Late 19th century most of Africa is being divided between the European powers.
3. Birth Place of Human Race
4. 5,000 years ago one of the first great civilizations “Ancient Egypt” which rose from north east Africa some 5,000 years ago
B. Issues keeping Africa from moving forward
1. HIV/AIDS
a) AIDS was first identified as a disease in America in 1981, and since then the epidemic has not stopped growing.
b) Sub-Saharan Africa is the region of the world that is most affected by HIV & AIDS.
c) Around 2 million children under 15 are living with HIV and more than twelve million children have been orphaned by AIDS.
d) An estimated 25.4 million people are living with HIV and approximately 3.1 million new infections occurred in 2004.
e) In just the past year the epidemic has claimed the lives of an estimated 2.3 million people in this region.

2. Corrupt Government
Governments in African nations such as The Congo, and places like Rwanda have committed mass genocide. Governments are often selfish and are only thinking about personal gain. A government is supposed to be a tool to advance a society not one to hold it back and reap the benefits of others labor.
3. Africans Holding on to Traditions
In Africa many traditions are held on to. I think this is beautiful however it has held many Africans back. Due to some of these traditions most Africans sadly prefer to see a witch doctor before they go to see a western-doctor. In many cases the witch doctor will cheat the patient, telling them for instance that they do not have HIV/AIDS
4. Food
There is the issue of hunger in Africa. Many bellies are not full. People, especially children suffer from malnutrition.
II.Solutions
1. HIV/AIDS
• In order to solve the epidemic of HIV/AIDS the long-term planning will need to be taken serious by all parties involved and implemented. One of the best ways to slow the process of HIV/AIDS is prevention. These prevention efforts need to be taken serious within individual countries, and furthermore within each city or village. This would call for 90 percent of Africans to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS, and that at least 9 percent of the HIV- positive Africans get the treatment and care they need.
2. Corrupt Government
• Governments need to take the issues serious and work on plans specific to their economical, and resources to fight the issues and make their countries successful for all.
3. Africans Holding on to Traditions
• The issues of Africans holding on to some traditions that are not necessary, and actually prohibit them from moving forward are ridiculous. I myself appreciate tradition however things must change over time.
4. Food and Self Sustainability
• African nations should start to become sustainable by themselves and eat food that they can grow themselves before they think about others. Rather than trying to grow vegetables that do not grow good in their climate and soil, they should grow what does produce great harvest for there soil.

Flyer Adventure

Well today started out as a normal day. I a;lmost missed the bus to school. Attended my classes and so on. However when it came to traveling to and from seattl;e the day was anything but average.I finally got out of the house arounf 5:00 pm and took my bike with me. I biked down to the Fred Myers oabout a mile away from the house. When i walked in and took care of all my banking needs, then proceeded to get some tape to hang up the flyers for this Environmrntal Festival. I run into my Father. We say hi and by and he hands me a bus transfer wich i gladly accept.I purchace the tape then as i aproach the street to cross. The bus takes off. So i missed the 169 to the renton transit center. The most oogivcalol thing in nmy head was to get the 155 to southcenter mal. So i go through some wierd streets pass by this house that has been abandoned and bombed by many grafitii artist. And pop up at vally medical center. I waited for that 155 for evee, it got cold and missreble but i knwe i needed to get to seattle to take care of this buiisness. Finally it comes, I get off and transfer onto the 150 to downtown seattle. I got off downtown and biked up to cap[ital hill posting these flyers on my way up from pine stree to broadway. Then i bike up tp 15th streetand stole some tape from a safeway, and baight a sprite. As soon as i walked out bob passed me up in his jeep and waved me down. So we meet up after all and i got my check, gave him the eeeeeestaple gun back ect.... o annd he had this reall hot cick with him. I liked her she was... there unlike otherchicks that just sit there hella shy. Anyhow so i continue posting flyers on 15th. By the time im done im beat so i fiure i'll check on stuff down on broadway and head home . Ends up i lost my cell phne so i had to bike al the way back up to 15th and track it down. Then bike down to 4rd and jackson were i saw some dude isaiaah and i know but i foget his name. I caught the 101 and then th 169were i fell asleep and had to bike from kent to renton. I stoped at a gas station and meet some kool Eygptiian guy that told me to buy 26 bucks worth of scratch tickets. The the machine was closed down for the day. So i need to go back over there tommarow.