Once known as the Belgian Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) came into play thanks to “The Widow,” an Amazon Prime original that centers on a woman’s search to uncover the mysterious disappearance of her husband. While watching an episode, the curiosity arose as to whether the series was actually filmed in the DRC, which would have been extremely adventurous, to put it mildly. A quick search provided the answer:

Although The Widow is set mainly in the DRC, filming actually took place in South Africa last year due to safety concerns.

To clarify, the current Republic of the Congo is a separate country located Northwest of the DRC, although in this context nothing would be different if both formed one large contiguous nation. One may wonder as to why the DRC is being singled out, and the short and direct answer is that the country and its population are a prime example of the permanent lack of socio-techno-economic achievement. The condition of the DRC highlights the raw and unwelcome reality of its people that is avidly avoided or distorted by the media and unicorn lovers all over the globe in the name of diversity.

Encyclopedia Britannica provides an excellent historical overview of the DRC, which can be explored in depth if one so desires.

The country that began as a king’s private domain (the Congo Free State), evolved into a colony (the Belgian Congo), became independent in 1960 (as the Republic of the Congo), and later underwent several name changes (to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, then to Zaire, and back again to the Democratic Republic of the Congo) is the product of a complex pattern of historical forces. Some are traceable to the precolonial past, others to the era of colonial rule, and others still to the political convulsions that followed in the wake of independence. All, in one way or another, have left their imprint on Congolese societies.

What is often missed is that the DRC was a late play in the colonization of Africa, and despite plenty of atrocities and political machinations, the DRC became the second-most industrialized country in the African continent after South Africa. Needless to say, one learns through observation followed by practice, and that simple fact preempts the typical fault finding in which colonizers are accused of failing to educate the locals. Who taught the colonizers how to do anything?

Upon decolonization, the Congolese proceeded to embrace chaos and conflict, and without Belgian governance, a once promising and prosperous land became a pit of violence and misery where filming cannot take place, although it would benefit the local economy. Let’s not lose sight that the infighting is unrelated to Europeans and entirely conducted by an inept population, demonstrably unable to maintain a stable society, much less build one. Obviously cruelty and disregard for human rights was not the sole domain of the colonizers, and ironically the practice continued among the Congolese after they became independent from the evil white man.

Here’s an eye-opening summary of the DRC, courtesy of CIA.GOV:

Despite a wealth of fertile soil, hydroelectric power potential, and mineral resources, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) struggles with many socioeconomic problems, including high infant and maternal mortality rates, malnutrition, poor vaccination coverage, lack of access to improved water sources and sanitation, and frequent and early fertility. Ongoing conflict, mismanagement of resources, and a lack of investment have resulted in food insecurity; almost 30 percent of children under the age of 5 are malnourished. The overall coverage of basic public services – education, health, sanitation, and potable water – is very limited and piecemeal, with substantial regional and rural/urban disparities. Fertility remains high at almost 5 children per woman and is likely to remain high because of the low use of contraception and the cultural preference for larger families.

We’re often told that Africa and its resources were exploited by Europeans, which is indisputable, but the moral lectures are always delivered with an air of arrogance implying that if only Africans were left to their own devices, they would have excelled. However what we have, as a matter of record, is that the Belgians built the DRC in 81 years from virtually nothing—1879 to 1960—and then the Congolese regressed and botched everything up on their own over the last 60 years. That was a similar outcome to the transition between Rhodesia and Zimbabwe, with South Africa the next in line and well on its way to embracing mediocrity.

As much as people will fight the narrative, engage in name calling, and play the usual blame game to deflect from the facts, that’s the African story. The core of the issue hinges on the refusal to face the truth as it applies to the various Homo sapiens strains, while the old mantra that starts “only if…” has been played numerous times to no avail.

A list titled “Best Countries for Raising Kids” was recently published by U.S. News & World Report, and some people were quick to point out, even celebrate, that the US came in 18th place. What they failed to recognize was that the populations of the top 17 countries are largely caucasian, homogeneous and non-diverse, and many on that famous roster have a long history of colonization.

The inconvenient dots will continue to be connected, and considering the evidence, the question stands: Shall we celebrate and welcome diversity? The various peoples of the world are delivering the unmistakable answer as we speak, and the ecosystem will adjust accordingly, despite the current and ultimately insignificant domestic political skirmishes.

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