There comes a time when trying to help someone, and hopefully, change their ways for the better, actually hurts more than helps. Achebe tells this story in the novel, Things Fall Apart. We meet an individual, Okonkwo, who is proud of his clan and their many rituals and traditions they have in the town of Umuofia. All of this is gone in an instant though when European colonizers pressure the people of Umuofia to adopt their ways. In doing so, their traditions have nearly vanished, and the love for rituals and celebration no longer drives the people of Umuofia. This story exemplifies the destructive effects of both colonization and reconstruction of an already well-functioning society to change into something they’re not, and in doing so, traditions, culture, and unique lifestyles are lost. 

The United States has recently decided to reduce aid in Africa. While this may seem like a bad thing, many in Africa actually think that it will be a time where their country can learn to flourish and grow on its own, and bring back some of the cultural values they once had (Kwemo, pg. 4).  When Americans go over to Africa and try to enact change by educating and creating new churches, they fail to recognize the already standing norms and cultures that Africa has. 

Another way that Americans have also delved too deep into another culture is through adoption. Adoption is amazing in itself because a child can be provided a loving and safe home, but when there’s adoption between two different cultures, the traditions, and heritage of that individual are swept away (Coolman pg. 1). 

While American Missionaries have a passionate goal to help struggling countries, very few missionaries go into the development of their churches and schools with an open mind, which in turn hurts the culture of that country. John Donnelly, suggests that there should be coordination and partnership between Americans and countries in Africa to see what help is most effective. Donnelly also states that “if you’re going to a foreign country, you have to learn from local people what is best.” (Donnelly). 

It’s essential to recognize that differences in cultures are good, and other cultures shouldn’t impose their values and norms on others unless they genuinely think it’s best for that society. If the change occurs, it should be done out of harmony and knowledge of a culture. 

Worked Cited

Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Anchor, 1994. Alcorn, Marshall.

Coolman, Holly T. “White parents adopting Black kids raises hard questions. We can learn from them.” America, The Jesuit Review, 8 July 2020,

https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2020/07/08/white-parents-Black-kids-transracial-adoption

Kwemo, Angelle B. “Making Africa great again: reducing aid dependency.” Brookings, Brookings, 20 April 2017, www.brookings.edu/blog/africa-in-focus/2017/04/20/making-africa-great-again-reducing-aid-dependency/. 

Martin, Michel. “Missionaries in Africa doing more harm than good?” NPR, Faith Matters, 20 July 2012,

https://www.npr.org/2012/07/20/157105485/missionaries-in-africa-doing-more-harm-than-good