A521.2.3.RB_McNerneyLeighAnn

Chimamanda Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story had all the main points of a springboard story. It was told with a clear and worthwhile purpose, based on true events, it was positive and authentic. The stories she told the audience were based on actual examples from her life starting at the age of two years old. Chimamanda’s tone throughout the story was carried as if she were having a conversation with each individual rather than everyone at the same time. She related to her audience with her typical examples many of us could relate too, but each example was linked to her overall purpose of opening people’s minds to the dangers of hearing or telling single stories. Her confidence in herself as she presented and word selection projected a well educated experienced woman that we could all relate to and trust. As she told her story she was able to laugh with her audience and remain serious when need be and her ability to do this left me feeling inspired to change my bad habits of believing and hearing singles stories.

Chimamanda’s personal experience with her college roommate was a very interesting example of how a single stories’ misgiving can change the way we view an entire culture. This part of her presentation really opened my eyes and made me relate to her on a personal level, leaving me with a feeling of similar guilt. When Chimamanda arrived to the U.S. to attend college her roommate was shocked to learn Chimamanda was from Nigeria, or in her roommate’s mind Africa, and was nothing like she imagined her to be. For one Chimamanda spoke English very well, she could use a stove and her ‘tribal music’ was a tape of Maria Carey! Her roommate’s perception of what an African would be was quite different than what she actually was because her understanding had been influenced through different versions of single stories. Chimamanda changed her roommate’s perception and opened her eyes to the mistakes that can be made form only hearing a single story.

Instead of being an African who spoke a tribal language, using fire to cook their foods dancing to music in a native language Chimamanda was a well educated, English speaking young woman from Nigeria. Her country was not Africa, but Nigeria composed of many states. She had actually never even been to all the countries located within the continent of Africa. She grew up in a very nice middleclass family with domestic help. Her parents were educated and held respected careers who donated whenever they could to less fortunate families in nearby villages. In my opinion Chimamanda lived a better lifestyle then most Americans do.

My own experience of developing a stereotypical view was also similar to Chimamanda’s roommate. When I started Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide I was extremely excited to get to know a coworker better after learning he was born in Senegal located in Africa.  I imagined my coworker riding to school on an elephant, speaking a native language and dancing around a fire covered in paint. However, much to my disappointment he was raised in a much different way. My coworker grew up a pampered lifestyle full of lavish amenities. He is a son of a former highly respected political figure; his father was Foreign Diplomat with clout all over the world. He grew up traveling to countries I have only dreamed of going to. He is very educated as this was a main priority in his upbringing. My coworker loves Usher and has never even been on a safari! His first experience of wild animals was when he went to the Atlanta zoo. I could not believe he never had any experiences with animals like I envisioned from the television shows. My coworker is a very intelligent man with a huge fear of snakes to the point he ran from his own home to a nearby neighbor because he was so frightened and needed someone to get the snake. Although I assumed he was going to be more like the people portrayed on most news stories he is actually extremely different. He has lived a better lifestyle and had more experiences with other cultures than I have ever been able to.

Chimamanda’s ability to provide me with the example from her personal life allowed me to relate and come to the realization I am at fault with only hearing a single story and developing a stereotype. I have made a mental note to not jump to assumptions when I read, watch or hear stories from now on. I want to change this bad habit and evolve into receiving more than just one point of view. Instead I will try to use the lessons learned from Denning as well as the message in Chimamanda’s The Danger of a Single Story to change my entire outlook on everything I have ever learned.