Coronavirus: Why Africans should take part in vaccine trials

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How has learning World History this summer grown your ability to understand or appreciate the article?

I would say World History class has helped me because I gained some general knowledge. Although I had some knowledge in the past, I feel that Strayer's book made me think and question a little more about what I already knew. Basically World History class took me to past events that help me understand what I am reading now. In other words, It create a basis for understanding the present. 

The article “Coronavirus: Why Africans should take part in vaccine trials” By Anne Mawathe talks about the problems that exist in Africa due to alleged failed trials of vaccines against the coronavirus. She talks about cases in which people have died due to vaccines given to some children during a meningitis outbreak. She also speaks of an Africa with deficiencies in the health area which leaves the population at a disadvantage in the search for a cure for the coronavirus.

The article itself reflects the reality in which Africa lives. A forgotten Africa can be perceived, with a great lack of opportunities and a lack of interest on the part of other countries. By reading about the problems that people in the country are still experiencing, we can understand that the ideas created in the past by Europeans continue to echo to this day.

What provokes controversy in this article were comments of two French scientists who were discussing about some trials given in Europe and Australia where they want to see if tuberculosis vaccine would be effective in combating COVID-19. While they were talking about the trials one of them said "If I can be provocative, shouldn't we be doing this study in Africa, where there are no masks, no treatments, no resuscitation?”(Mawathe, 2020). Obviously this caused anger in many people because the scientist's comment expressed apathy against the African country. Thanks to History class we know that the idea of ​​roses between French and Africans has been very old, since colonial times. Due to the creation of race separation thanks to the Europeans, Africans began to suffer in many ways. “Europeans identified,and sometimes invented, distinct tribes, each with its own clearly defined territory, language, customs, and chief.The notion of a “tribal Africa” expressed the Western view that African societies were primitive or backward, representing an earlier stage of human development. It was also a convenient idea, for it reduced the enormous complexity and fluidity of African societies to a more manageable state and thus made colonial administration easier” (Strayer, pag 932). Since French people considered Africans to be "primitive minds" (Strayer, pag 931) they were not given opportunities to learn, improve and have a better quality of life. most of the time they were denied all the rights of a human being, treating them almost like animals. 

Incredibly, the comment made by the scientist continues to demonstrate that racism is very strong. In fact Dr. Tedro says “It was a disgrace, appalling, to hear during the 21st Century, to hear from scientists that kind of remark.”(Mawathe, 2020). 

Although the article shows us that there are still well-rooted problems that have not been able to disappear, it also makes me understand the way of thinking of each human being. Nothing justifies the abuse that many people experience today, but based on what we know we can help other people to start creating awareness. We can already understand the root of a problem, we can only start to create awareness. We must extend our knowledge and speak of a present world in which we are all equal. We all have the same right.



Sources


Mawathe, A. (2020, May 18). Coronavirus: Why Africans should take part in vaccine trials. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-52678741


Strayer, R. W., & Nelson, E. (2019). Ways of the world: A brief global history with sources. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins.

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