“The dangers of a single story.”

In the July 2009 TED Talk “The dangers of a single story” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie delves into cons of only hearing one side of a story. She explains the negative aspects of a “single story” and why people shouldn’t think so one sided. Chimamanda Adichie preaches that single one-track minded stories usually originate from one’s lack of knowledge on a subject. Adichie recalls a time in college when her roommate had a feeling of pity for her due to the misconception that everyone from Africa comes from a poor, struggling background. She traveled to Mexico and developed the stereotype that all Mexicans are immigrants. Adichie realized that she had the same outlook on Mexicans as her roommate did on her. Chimamanda’s talk has been influential because it challenges world views and ideologies. At the end of the TED talk Ngozi urges the audience to reject the single story and to seek out more diverse narratives.