One of the challenges is that the entire world with the exception of Africa herself loves to paint a primitive picture of this massive, varied and incredible continent. I would venture to guess that most African Americans themselves are just as ignorant as Eddie Murphy. That's part of why this persists. Her progress and culture are dismissed and ignored because that would mean we'd have to respect who she really is rather than one great big dark ignorant place full of screaming monkeys and huddling natives desperate to be saved. Having spent more than my fair share of time there and eager to return, I am exhausted by these tropes as well.