The Danger of a Single Story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda-adichie-the-danger-of-a-single-story
Analysis and evaluation of the video
“The danger of a single story” is a ted talk of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie concerning the things that take place the moment complex human beings and instances are minimized to a single narrative. The narrator identifies the issue of Africans in America and how they are treated exclusively as pitiable poor and starving victims based on their faces.
Dr. Adichie's main argument is that given that even person has a different compilation of narratives, reducing people to one would be similar to the elimination of their humanity. The narrator identifies the alien invader story, which is associated with many issues associated with the presidency of Donald Trump. She argues about how the solution to the problem experienced in America of wage stagnation by associating it with the operations in the banks. The narrator also asserts that in the current world, for people to show their solidarity with the existing teams, they are required to hold the socially accepted story. It is clear from her argument that if a team is doing something immoral, to be part of the group, one has to have a similar story; otherwise, such individuals are disqualified from the team. Indeed, for one’s survival, rhyming with others or being in the same story with those who have successfully survived is essential. She argues about the oppression system that is followed in America and how it requires those who are interested in the leadership to embrace the specific story.
Businesses, leadership, and individuals have their single true stories that affect their operations and conducts. Dr. Adichie generally argues about America's oppressiveness and brutality, which are in the single story and is narrated by the U.S.-based system. According to Adichie, it is necessary for people to read other stories before making judgments or conclusions about something or someone.
Among the strengthens of her claims are that Adichie identifies the single story that is followed by the leaders in the oppressive system and how some individuals are disqualified for having different stories. He also helps the reader to understand that the individuals fitting in the same team have to narrate a common story that matches with the behavior and conduct of others in the group. According to her argument, it is clear that Adichie has done adequate research related to how the American leadership is operated in different areas. She makes it clear that different continents have a single story about Africa being a catastrophe which makes their poor thinking about the continent. She reveals to people about the guilt that is there through identifying individuals based on one story only and makes it clear that it is not the fault of the people, but it is due to lack of access to other parts of the story.
The weaknesses of Adichie's claims include the advice that she seems to be giving to the interested leaders whom she states that they have to open themselves to the stories of all places. She fails to openly state about the other parts of the whole story, for instance, about the issue of the oppressive American system.
I agree with her conclusions because based on the stereotypes that people create against others, continents, groups, and organizations, people normally fail to do a thorough investigation to know the truth. For instance, Adichie says, “The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but they are incomplete.” Besides, people are ignorant and do not bother to read other stories but tend to believe what they hear or see for the first time without looking for the reality through many stories or pieces of evidence. I agree that the only way to avoid making bad judgments or creating stereotypes against other people, people need to read widely and investigate cultural similarities the same way they do towards the cultural differences. For example, Muslims are generally identified as terrorists, but this is untrue.
Dr. Adichie’s position compares with my position in that she advises people to explore many issues and stories before making a certain conclusion or before making any judgment. We both agree that through a single story, people generate some belief that is not true.
By doing this assignment, I have a greater understanding and appreciation of "The danger of a single story." The story has opened my mind and enabled me to change how I view things based on a single story. While doing this assignment, I have understood the arguments of the narrator and compared them with things which are going on in the real world. I now fully understand the reason behind every argument conducted by the narrator in the video.
Personal thoughts: I would also urge people to focus on reading adversely and explore similarities equally with the differences before creating stereotypes of making judgments. I think that for people to understand their fellow individuals, they only need to observe them and meet with them severally as well as hearing from them many times before making the conclusion about their lives.
