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Community Learning Assignment 2

Student’s Name

Institution

Course Code & Title

Instructor’s Name

Date
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Micro:

On April 15th, 2023, I attended an online community learning event titled "The danger of

a single story" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The event was hosted by TEDGlobal in July of

2009, but the recording was available on the TED Talks YouTube channel. In the talk, Adichie

discusses the importance of not having a singular story of people or places, as it can perpetuate

harmful stereotypes and limit one’s understanding of the complexities and diversity of the world.

The talk is available on YouTube (link: https://youtu.be/D9Ihs241zeg).

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie discusses the danger of a single story in this TED Talk.

According to the talk, Adichie grew up in Nigeria reading British and American children’s books

and writing stories about white, blue-eyed characters who experienced snow and drank ginger

beer, even though she had never left Nigeria and did not know what ginger beer tasted like. It

was not until Adichie discovered African writers like Chinua Achebe and Camara Laye that she

realized people like her, with skin the color of chocolate and kinky hair, could exist in literature.

In the talk, Adichie also shares a personal story about her perception of her family’s live-in

domestic help, Fide, and how her single story of his family’s poverty was challenged when she

saw a beautifully patterned basket made by his brother. Adichie highlights the importance of not

having a singular story of people or places, as it can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and limit

one’s understanding of the complexities and diversity of the world.

Macro:

Adichie's talk is significant in the larger context of diversity and inclusion. The issue of a

single story or narrative is not limited to literature or personal perceptions, but it also applies to

larger societal issues such as racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination. When we have a
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single story about a person or a group, we risk perpetuating harmful stereotypes and prejudices,

which can have serious consequences. Adichie's talk advances the idea that diversity and

complexity are essential for a healthy and just society, and it challenges us to question our

assumptions and broaden our perspectives.

Adichie's talk on the danger of a single story connects to a greater social issue of the

perpetuation of harmful stereotypes and biases. The talk emphasizes the importance of

understanding and challenging these stereotypes through communication and interaction with

others. This is particularly important in today's diverse and interconnected world, where cultural

misunderstandings and prejudices can lead to conflicts and social inequality. The talk also

highlights the power of literature and media in shaping our understanding of ourselves and

others. In today's digital age, where information is easily accessible and shared, it is crucial to

critically evaluate the sources of our information and recognize the potential biases and

limitations of the narratives we encounter.

Connect:

Adichie's talk connects to three key terms from the course: symbolic interactionism,

cultural relativism, and intersectionality. Symbolic interactionism emphasizes the importance of

language and communication in shaping our understanding of the world. Adichie's experience of

reading British and American children’s books as a child highlight how language and literature

can shape our understanding of ourselves and others. Cultural relativism emphasizes the

importance of understanding different cultures and perspectives. Adichie's talk warns against

having a singular story of people or places, which can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and limit

one’s understanding of the complexities and diversity of the world. Intersectionality emphasizes

the intersection of different social identities and how they interact to shape an individual's
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experiences. Adichie's personal story about her perception of Fide, her family’s live-in domestic

help, illustrates how individuals can have a single story or perception of a person or group based

on limited information or experiences.

The community learning event, “The danger of a single story” by Chimamanda Ngozi

Adichie, best aligns with the sociological perspective of Symbolic Interactionism because it

focuses on how individuals interpret and give meaning to their social interactions and how those

meanings shape their understanding of the world around them. Adichie’s personal story about her

perception of Fide, her family’s live-in domestic help, illustrates how individuals can have a

single story or perception of a person or group based on limited information or experiences. She

assumed that Fide and his family were poor because they were employed as domestic help, but

her perspective was challenged when she saw a beautifully patterned basket made by his brother.

Adichie’s story demonstrates how individuals interpret their social interactions and assign

meaning based on their limited experiences and knowledge.

Symbolic Interactionism also emphasizes the importance of language and communication

in shaping our understanding of the world. Adichie discusses how reading British and American

children’s books as a child shaped her perception of what literature could be and what characters

could look like. It wasn’t until she discovered African writers that she realized people like her,

with skin the color of chocolate and kinky hair, could exist in literature. Adichie’s experience

highlights how language and literature can shape our understanding of ourselves and others. The

danger of a single story is also relevant in the larger social context. It perpetuates harmful

stereotypes and limits our understanding of the complexities and diversity of the world.

Symbolic Interactionism emphasizes the importance of understanding and challenging these

stereotypes through communication and interaction with others.

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Reflect:

Attending this event was a thought-provoking experience for me. Adichie's talk

highlighted the importance of recognizing the potential biases and limitations of the narratives

we encounter and the power of communication and interaction in challenging harmful

stereotypes and biases. As an aspiring writer, this event reminded me of the responsibility I have

to critically evaluate my own biases and the narratives I create. It also inspired me to strive for

more diverse and inclusive representation in my writing. Additionally, Adichie's talk also

reinforced my commitment to social justice and equity. I will continue to challenge my own

assumptions and seek out diverse perspectives, and I will strive to be an ally to marginalized

groups. Moving forward, I will continue to critically evaluate the narratives I encounter and

actively seek out diverse perspectives to broaden my understanding of the world. Overall,

attending this event has deepened my appreciation for the importance of cultural understanding

and communication in creating a more just and equitable society.

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Reference

TED. (2009). Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story. YouTube. Retrieved

April 23, 2023, from https://youtu.be/D9Ihs241zeg.