Connection: Heart of Darkness and Model UN

This weekend I went to the University of Chicago's Model UN Conference. I was in the African Union and while discussing our topics it was impossible not to include the topics of racism, and colonialism. Both are important parts of African History and have forever shaped Africa and its people. It was helpful having read Heart of Darkness before hand, because it gave a comprehensive idea of what kinds of things happened to during colonialism (and that time in history) and where current thoughts on race and racism originated. The research I did for the conference, and participation in the discussions, also gave me a more rounded experience of the book. It make me think about the ideas brought up in Heart of Darkness more intricately, and then apply them. Conrad speaks of so many themes that may or may not be obvious, but something that can be picked up by all are the themes of confusion between the European and African people (along with racism and colonialism), which can still be seen today through many aspects of life in Africa and in European/American countries. Therefore, they complimented each other.