“Adichie, C. (2009). The Danger of a Single Story”;
Adichie, C. (2009). The Danger of a Single Story.
The talk ‘the Danger of a single story’ by Chimamanda Adichie is about the harm associated with looking at things from one perspective. Chimamanda implies that people tend to look at things as they have been taught, even if the lessons passed may be a stereotype. She compares this one side of the story to the many misconceptions articulated about African culture. She recounts how she was a victim of this phenomenon when back in college when her room-mate at the time exhibited pity just because she was African. People did not think that Africans could be able to lead ordinary lives as middle-class American citizens, illuminating the negativity associated with a single story. People only want to cling to the beliefs that they have held for so long such that they do not want to come to terms with reality. Chimamanda goes on to relate this concept of one side of the story by giving examples such as the poverty perception with which Americans held Africans. Her mentality of Mexicans as a poor immigrant population was proven wrong when she visited the country. She was a victim of the misguided notion by her literature professor who was not willing to accept that Africa was anything else but a war-torn and undemocratic continent. Throughout the talk, Chimamanda symbolizes the negativity associated with this one side of the story, where people don’t want to let go of these beliefs.
The talk by Chimamanda is of great assistance when learning the cultural stereotypes associated with Africans. At the same time, it brings forth some aspects of racial discrimination towards minority American populations. Given that the speaker narrates first hand some of her negative experiences as well as her thoughts regarding some populations, it is a more effective avenue for readers to appreciate that stereotypes are real. Given that the speech is coming from her, the tone may also aid one know the exact pain suffered by victims, thus negate from them.
Riley, P. (1993). Growing Up Native American: An Anthology (1st ed.). Willia Morrow & Co.
‘Growing up Native American’ is a compilation of twenty-two short stories exhibiting the stereotypes associated with being Indian American. The writers were from across fifteen different American Indian nations. The stories outline how this section of the population was perceived to be romantic and noble, but at the same time savages by other parts of the American society. According to the authors, they were thought to be exotic and subjects of their culture and traditions. The book is mainly based on autobiographies of the various writers. They narrate on the negative experiences and actions that they were subjected to just because of their ethnicity, such as being coerced to attend boarding schools. The writers speak out on the brutalities they suffered in these institutions. Authors associate these mistreatments as attempts to stop them from being Indians. The objective is to make them forsake their culture, as they leave the schools different beings from those that entered. The book illuminates the negative stereotypes associated with being Indian, and how other population sets want to extinguish the culture among the constituents. It also focuses on aspects such as the fight by native-Americans against oppression, tribalism, racism, and prejudice.
This source will help in understanding the concept of cultural superiority where some cultures perceive themselves to be more superior than others and thus want minority populations to conform. The fact that it is written by fifteen different authors means that it will be easy to note any discrepancies and know what to disregard. It will aid the leader understand the concept of cultural superiority and the negative repercussions, making them abstain from such practices in future.
Trafzer, C. (1997). Earth Song, Sky Spirit (1st ed.). Anchor.
‘Earth Song, Sky Spirit,’ is a collection of thirty fictional stories by various storytellers. Negative perceptions regarding Indian-American identity ring throughout the stories. Encounters of humiliation perpetrated against Indian-Americans are evident in the stories, such as the incidents involving the Cherokee girl and her white guardians. Aspects of native-American culture, especially those held by other sections of the population are evident throughout the book. One of them is the weird spelling, annotation, and pronunciation that their speech is famed for. The book attempts to integrate these aspects into the writings. The imperfection itself symbolizes native-American literature as being more of oral than written. Some misconceptions that people hold towards the native Indians is that they are good at helping other people die. The exotic mentality held towards their culture sees them labeled as adulterous in some cases. Language inconveniences, performance arts, resistance against aspects such as adventure and the English language are common themes in the book. The stories depict Native-American sensibilities to tradition and the incorporation of this population into the mainstream American culture.
This source again comes across as a very effective one of furthering the theme of cultural discrimination. Thirty authors cannot make false assumptions. There has to be an element of truth in their narration. Therefore, this collection is a very effective one when it comes to furthering some truths to the learner on societal ills, and create the desire to steer away from them.