Backporch Beer - WE'VE CLOSED! THANKS FOR YOUR PATRONAGE!

The Dark Contient

On NPR’s Morning Edition today Renee Montagne made a brief apology for calling Africa “The Dark Continent” on a previous show. According to Wikipedia Dark Continent refers to:

A 19th century expression previously used to describe Africa, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa. As little was known about the continent’s interior geography, map-makers would often leave this region dark.

I think I have similar conversations on a regular basis with my friends and am always assured that I am insensitive and wrong-thinking, but I have to take umbrage at a society where correct usage of a word/phrase is a firing offense and I wonder why Montagne felt the need to make this apology. Anyone taking offense at the phrase is only showing their ignorance. Every socially-conscience PS3 user can tell you why Africa is called “the Dark Contient” even without Wikipedia’s help.

I have always marveled that Africa is one of the few areas of land mass on a world-wide map that has almost zero participation in the Folding@home, and every night map I’ve seen of the planet makes it clear why this particular phrase is in reference only to the lack of penetration from Western civilization.

Take this as an opportunity to tell me (again) why I’m wrong. :)