BBC - people in Africa eat bananas

[Dauphin]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/cuisines

The site has icons for different regions/countries:

America - hamburger
Britain - pork pies, tea, cucumber sandwiches
Chinese - spring rolls
Japan - sushi and soba
Mexican - guacamole
etc
Africa - bananas.

Well done Beeb.

[Dauphin]

Oh, and anyone got an cooking suggestions. I need ideas.

[Al B. Sure!]

What? It's true. You ever notice that bananas are the cheapest fruit in your supermarket? It's not like the average African is living large and can afford fancy foods. Bananas are not actually native to Africa but they have been cultivated there for millenia.

From wikipedia:

In countries such as Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda per capita consumption [of bananas] has been estimated at 45 kilograms (99 lb) per year, the highest in the world.

Yams, too, are a staple crop in many African countries.

[onodera]

What do you want to be depicted there instead? Humanitarian aid?

[Lorizael]

There's always AIDS.

[Dauphin]

I would have thought you of all people would have got this.

You are either obtuse or stupid, or I am too subtle. We need a poll.

[Al B. Sure!]

I would have thought you of all people would have got this.

You are either obtuse or stupid, or I am too subtle. We need a poll.

You're implying that the BBC is racially insensitive due to the 'Black people are monkeys' things and monkeys like bananas. We get that. The fact of the matter is that bananas are a staple crop in most of Sub-Saharan Africa and it's part of the diets of most cultures there. Like I said, per capita banana consumption is very high in most African countries. So the fact is, a banana would be appropriate there. Maybe they should have had a prepared banana dish instead since all the other images are of prepared food, but the banana is eaten a lot over there.

Really, I'm thinking you're a little racist because that's the first thing that crossed your mind.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Maybe they should have had a prepared banana dish instead since all the other images are of prepared food

Isn't that important? Every other dish is something prepared, but "Africa" gets a banana. Seems... well, off.

[Dauphin]

The first thing that crossed my mind was "ooh, East European, Beef Stroganov, yum" then "Hmmmm, the American burger is a bit of a stereotype. Then I saw the banana and laughed at the Beeb's faux pas.

[onodera]

Isn't that important? Every other dish is something prepared, but "Africa" gets a banana. Seems... well, off.

Okay, name a prepared dish that is instantly recognised as African. Sub-Saharan African, preferably.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

I refuse comment until Japher weighs in.

[Dauphin]

Isn't that important? Every other dish is something prepared, but "Africa" gets a banana. Seems... well, off.

Yeah, it's not even peeled.

[Dauphin]

Okay, name a prepared dish that is instantly recognised as African. Sub-Saharan African, preferably.

Bobotie.

[Dauphin]

Biltong would have been acceptable too.

[Al B. Sure!]

Bobotie isn't even native African. It was invented by the Dutch. Of course, hamburgers likewise are actually German, so it's not all about where the food originated, but I thought to mention that.