How do you represent a culture honestly, without inadvertently reinforcing stereotypes? In the cultural area, there is a space dedicated to a depiction of an African child's room. I'm adamant that we make sure this space is defined as a country. However, choices have been made that are directing my selection of a country to focus on.
Do I: Theme the room based on the existing outside architecture, and inadvertently reinforce the idea that everyone in Africa lives in abject poverty? Or do I ignore the external architecture and choose a more middle class style room, and fail to be true to the diversity of the continent?
I'm honestly unsure. When I was in Indy, in the Egypt gallery, we had an urban and a rural bedroom. I often overheard "look at the poverty" from our upper middle class visitors. How do we get across the dual ideas that yes, these countries do not have as much as we do, but that doesn't mean that their lifestyle is poor. In fact, what I see is that I could really be happy with less. Seeing these spaces doesn't make me sad for them, it makes me sad for the US and our rampant consumerism.
But back to Africa.
What do you all think? Does a thatched roof drive the choice toward a rural/tribal home? Because that means the bed will be nothing more than sheets on the floor. Or should I settle on Kenya and "average" the interior decor? I'm leaning to the latter, but am concerned. I'm going to have to dig my heels in and get some cultural voices in on the conversation. Because as much as I need to move quickly, I also need to make sure this is done right.
Anyone have advice?
