Chimamanda Adichie's "The Dangers of a Single Story" response

Congratulations everyone! You now get an exclusive look as to how late I actually get around to doing my homework. (oops). Well, let's not waste anymore time. I've got a full laptop battery and a chance for 5 1/2 hours of sleep if I do this efficiently, so let's get started, shall we?

The Danger of  a single story was tasteful, intriguing, and most importantly thought provoking. My absolute favorite aspect of the presentation, was the fact that Chimamanda not only mentioned that her Nigerian culture are victim to the "single story" stereotype, but that she was also guilty about making assumptions towards other cultures.

That brings me to my next point. I want to give you and example close to home. How many times in your life have you used the phrase "basic white girl"? How many times have you made a joke about Asian people's eyes being way too small and looking closed all the time? How many times have you laughed even harder at a joke because you all thought it was "racist" when really it is just your mind clouded with whatever single story was shoved in there. I can't tell you how many times people have gasped because I don't love fried chicken, Kool Aid, and watermelon. It's crazy how many people have stripped me away from my "black title" because I prefer sushi, Starbucks, and oversized sweaters.

I think in order to completely eradicate the single story epidemic, it all completely relies on us. We, as humans all need to look inside ourselves and find a sense of an open mind. We have to realize that there is more to every race. Just because a certain group of people act a certain way, doesn't mean everyone associated with them is the same way. I think the whole single story thing, is something made up in the human mind. So we have to destroy it there too.

I think that the quote "single stories create stereotypes" wraps this up nicely. It brings understanding to the topic of the single story. That's where stereotypes come from. The Single Story, being twisted and tangled enough to where you don't think you need another story. However, we couldn't be more wrong with that type of thinking.