Summary
“The Danger of a Single Story” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie speaks on the stereotypes and negative effects that are put on people cultures based of the perspective that is seen. Ms. Adichie begins with speaking on how she was an early reader and how the image of white characters from the books she were reading were stamped into her head. As she began to progress into her she began to realize that the point of view that people knew were the ones they heard of. For example Chimamanda has lived with a young boy who’s family wasn’t living in the best condition, she thought of the young family to be poor and have terrible living conditions. But when she went to the village to visit the boys family she realized that she had taken the information that her mother had given to her and not truly understand the full story. She saw amazing things the family that was filled with creativity, the family looked happy and, filled with joy. Her eyes then that you can’t judge somebody by just one story.
I agree the with Adichie’s argument describing how one story can be have misunderstandings and not have the knowledge and truth of the full situation. With me as well being Nigerian, I can also relate to Adichies argument, due to coming from a different background and somewhere that isn’t as known her in American. Questions were always asked liked ” does your country have water” or “how are you able to take showers”. I was always confused because I was born in America but the stereotype of the culture that I had come from caused for people to ask questions that I found to make no sense. Especially with our day and with immigration people who don’t speak good English or are new to the country are being told to leave, due them not fully understanding the situations here yet. But in reality the reason why people come to this country is so that they can build a better opportunity for themselves and get a better. Which builds of on the fact why there is always more than one story.
The reason why I believe Professor Barnes chose to give us this assignment is because the reading touches everything, on how you should always look at things from another perspective. There is always a different view of a situation so it would good to hear different sides about this story.
