In the Tedtalk “The Danger of a Single Story” by Chimamanda Adichie, she describes her family background and her childhood in Nigeria, explaining how she was introduced into the world of literature from an early aged, during her childhood she was influenced by American and British books but over the years her concept of what was literature changed when she discovered that people like her could also write. Adichie expresses how she was judge and criticized by people who only knew a part of her origin that is what she call “The Danger of a Single Story” refers to the way of seeing only one point of view of something or someone has prevailed in our culture and that have been normalized, generating stereotypes that do not correspond to reality. Additionally she talked about her experience during her visit to Mexico, she used to had a very different point of view of that country until she were there emphasizing that stories have power and influence a lot on the way they are told both negatively and positively. As has been demonstrate the consequences of the unique story deprives people of their dignity, make a point on how we differ instead of how we are similar, stories are important, through these people can express their opinions and feelings that tell the truth of an opinion created based on a first impression.
Personally I’m agreed with Adichie because it is dangerous to grow up and be formed with a single story, a single vision of the world, of things and people, but also about how a single story leads us to make judgments and have wrong behaviors with respect to others.
2 thoughts on “The Danger of a Single Story”
Hi Mariela, I definitely agree that it is very dangerous. It does lead to wrong behaviors that can be harmful to other people. More people should be self aware and open minded. Being open minded can create a peaceful life for everyone.
I strongly agree with you because what people don’t realize is that only telling one side people will just start assuming and will start criticizing people. There is more to it, both positive and negative parts to a story and both should be told because no one’s dignity should be robbed. Our words are a lot more than just simple words. These words have power and they either humanize or dehumanize people and that is not ok. Good example of this is the news or newspapers. They focus only on the negative part but why don’t they focus on the positive part too.