I have a story set in a fantasy-Africa, in which the protagonist must make her way from her rural home to a coastal city in order to seek medical treatment that will save her life. One beta reader for the story was concerned about potential colonialist implications of this. I understand the commenter's concern, but it had never occurred to me because I know that there is no colonization in this setting, and there is no racial difference between the protag and the people that she seeks help from.
How can I make this clear without beating the reader over the head with an "As you know, Bob"?