George Brown College

ASSIGNMENT NAME: Critical Essay Assignment

STUDENT NAME: Camile Oliveira

STUDENT NUMBER: 101533466

COURSE NAME: COMM2000 (Communicating Across Contexts)

INSTRUCTORS NAME: Renee Collins

DATE SUBMITTED: March 7, 2024

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi, in July 2009, used a TED talk conference to talk about "The Danger
of a Single Story”, but more than that to talk about the stereotype culture around the world. She
starts by saying a little bit about her history as a reader and writer and how she was also victim
of one side of the story more than once. Adichi’s describes a single story as “a narrative that
presents only one perspective, repeated again and again”, pointing out the importance of
narratives that we create impacting people lives and the negative side such as the perceptions
and influence that isolated stories can lead to from stereotypes.

To begin with, the example provided about Fide’s family, who were initially defined only by their
poverty. However, this judgment is questionable, as it was the only thing she knew about them,
it was the only story she ever heard. Upon visiting Fide’s family, it became evident that this
perspective was limited, as they were also skilled workers and artisans, among other things
than just poor. The risk of one perspective carries the potential of compelling us to make snap
judgments, default assumptions, and inadequate conclusions that could cause misconceptions.
Staying inside the boundaries of a single story it’s not being able to see a situation more fully
and deeply.

“The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are
untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.” Adichie’s
says. Not to judge a book by its cover, they often say, still, isn't judgment or comparison the first
thing a human does? Seeking closeness to the familiar is a natural tendency, yet it must not be
conditioned by closure toward the new, the unknown, or what has only been heard from other
people. It is important to overcome the single stories, the half truths, and create an authentic
connection with someone, establishing a relationship. After all, as humans, stories are not just
stories, they tell about someone's life, about their aspirations and the challenges that moulded
them. Therefore, it's important to realize that Adichie's talk aims to emphasize the dangers of a
single story, as well as the reasons why it's important to empathize with others in order to
prevent making such biased assumptions or stereotypes.

More than just stereotypes, Adichie talks about power and those in power. Despite coming from
a country with several problems and poverty, she also knows that Africa is more than that, there
are many more words to define the country than just misery, such as beautiful landscapes,
biodiversity, and culture. Understanding the connection between power and individual narratives
is important, as everything depends on how they are presented. For example, the humanity of
indigenous peoples was hidden behind stereotypes and myths for generations, and their voices
were silenced. By denying them access to the discussions that defined their own history,
indigenous people were written by someone other than themselves as unworthy, dirty, and in
need of Catholicization because it was the only path to a closer relationship with God. The
narrative that passes on creates beliefs, since the version of the story they heard was different,
they were unaware of indigenous culture and their contact with nature and ancestors, building a
single story about the indigenous people.

All students who study abroad, from this perspective, ultimately challenge the single story
paradigm. More people from different cultures and countries are encountered in Toronto, as
example, than ever before in their hometown since moving here. Stories, ceremonies, traditions,
and other aspects are learned about, revealing that sometimes individuals unintentionally
become caught in the plot of a single story. Surprisingly, it is discovered that customs,
superstitions and cuisine are shared with individuals from different continents. A single individual
or history cannot define the entire population of a nation. Stories are more than just stories.
They have a significant impact on views and decisions, influencing reality in ways that go
beyond individual identity. They serve as guidance, shape perceptions and offer direction to the
world and the events around. A single story can have negative effects on both individual and
collective situations.

The way that Chimamanda approaches the TED Talk highlights the significance of the
narratives we make and how they affect people, communities, and cultures. Over time, words
and stories might gain extra meanings or connotations based on how they are used, this is
similar to using metaphors, which are comparisons that represent something without being
literally true. The result of this, of a single story, is that it makes it harder to recognize our shared
humanity, traps us in cages, dehumanizes the lives of others, strips away dignity, and reinforces
stereotypes. It's like continuing to scroll through your Instagram feed and seeing that picture of
the blogger who seems to have the ideal life, only to wonder if there's more to the picture than
meets the eye. “It takes additional stories to liberate us from stories.” Stevens, J. D. (2021,
March 11)
 APA REFERENCE:

Adichie, C. N. (2009, July). The danger of a single story. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The

danger of a single story | TED Talk.

https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story/tran

script?language=en

Stevens, J. D. (2021, March 11). The danger of a single story: A simple idea for revising

biases and presuppositions. vocation matters.

https://vocationmatters.org/2021/03/11/the-danger-of-a-single-story/

Hartnett, K. (2012, March 8). Family lies? the value of the single story. The Millions.

https://themillions.com/2012/03/family-lies-the-value-of-the-single-story.html

The power of storytelling: How narratives shape our lives. University Canada West

(UCW). (2023, December 21).

https://www.ucanwest.ca/blog/education-careers-tips/the-power-of-storytelling-how-narrati

ves-shape-our-lives/
Michelin, O. (2021, June 3). First person | why it’s important for indigenous people to tell

our own stories | CBC News. CBCnews.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/first-person-indigenous-history-stories-narrative

-sovereignty-1.6050453