Monkeypox outbreak: Western media slammed for using images of black people

The Foreign Press Association of Africa has condemned the use of photos of black people in stories about the monkeypox outbreak in North America and the United Kingdom.

A number of European countries reported an outbreak of monkeypox last week, yet most international news outlets used photographs of black individuals alongside reporting about the outbreak.

What exactly is monkeypox? Monkeypox is a zoonotic illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It can strike anyone of any color or ethnicity anywhere in the world, just like any other sickness.

Foreign Press Association Africa said it disturbing for European and North American media outlets to use stock images bearing persons with dark/black and African skin complexion to depict an outbreak of the disease in the United Kingdom and North America.

“We condemn the perpetuation of this negative stereotype that assigns calamity to the African race and privilege or immunity to other races. What is the convenience of using such images to tell the world how Europe and America are reeling from the outbreak of Monkeypox? Is the media in the business of preserving ‘White Purity’ through ‘Black criminality or culpability’?

“We find these actions to be very insensitive. It is glaring in the lack of dignity afforded to black and brown-skinned victims of disease outbreaks. It is a lack of nuance and empathy given to people suffering from this disease.”

Foreign Press Association

Contact with skin lesions and droplets from a person infected with the virus can spread the infection. The infection can also spread by sharing personal objects like towels and beds.

Fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, tiredness, and a chickenpox-like rash on the hands and face are some of the symptoms that a person may suffer once infected. These symptoms are usually modest and go away in a few weeks.