The Danger of a Single Story
Stories matter, they can be used to empower and humanize.” (Chimamanda, 2009) This youtube video is about a Nigerian woman named Chimamanda Ngozi sharing the danger of a single story. A single story can be judgment we have about people we do not know. We often judge people from other countries based on what we may hear, see on tv or read in articles. These opinions are based on the opinions of others and not necessarily true.
It was amazing to her Chimamanda talk about the books she used to write about as a kid. They were always stories about people or other children that looked nothing like her, experienced things she never experienced and about weather that was the opposite of the weather she experienced. “My books had to have foreigners and things I couldn’t identify with.” (Chimamanda, 2009) This was until she began reading books authored by people that looked like her and came from the same place she did. These authors became her mentors. I can relate to the importance of mentors, especially mentors that spoke like me and came from the same place I did, Latinos or Hispanics. It’s always special to find a mentor that knows what we are experiencing and what we will experience in the future.
Chimamanda began authoring books with character that were the color of chocolate as she stated in the video and wrote about things she recognized. These authors gave Chimamanda the inspiration and courage to no longer write about a single story. Her stories were now relate-able to her experience, balanced and diverse.
Reflection
I’m addicted to stories, as a teacher I love learning about my students. Even though they’re only 7 or 8 years old, they already have a story that preceded them. Whether it’s about their home life, where they came from or what type of a student they were the previous years. I also love to share my story. I do it all the time via social media, Instagram, Facebook, twitter, etc. I feel it humanizes this experience we call life. I love to learn from others because everyone’s story can have a positive impact on someone else. We can all learn from each other and rid us of the feeling of going through life alone. We all go through ups and downs and it’s a beautiful thing when people are authentic and share these moments to inspire others.
References
Ngozi, Chimamanda. (2009). The Danger of a Single Story. Retrieved July 29, 2015 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg&feature=youtu.be&list=PLbRLdW37G3oMquOaC-HeUIt6CWk-FzaGp
Stories matter, they can be used to empower and humanize.” (Chimamanda, 2009) This youtube video is about a Nigerian woman named Chimamanda Ngozi sharing the danger of a single story. A single story can be judgment we have about people we do not know. We often judge people from other countries based on what we may hear, see on tv or read in articles. These opinions are based on the opinions of others and not necessarily true.
It was amazing to her Chimamanda talk about the books she used to write about as a kid. They were always stories about people or other children that looked nothing like her, experienced things she never experienced and about weather that was the opposite of the weather she experienced. “My books had to have foreigners and things I couldn’t identify with.” (Chimamanda, 2009) This was until she began reading books authored by people that looked like her and came from the same place she did. These authors became her mentors. I can relate to the importance of mentors, especially mentors that spoke like me and came from the same place I did, Latinos or Hispanics. It’s always special to find a mentor that knows what we are experiencing and what we will experience in the future.
Chimamanda began authoring books with character that were the color of chocolate as she stated in the video and wrote about things she recognized. These authors gave Chimamanda the inspiration and courage to no longer write about a single story. Her stories were now relate-able to her experience, balanced and diverse.
Reflection
I’m addicted to stories, as a teacher I love learning about my students. Even though they’re only 7 or 8 years old, they already have a story that preceded them. Whether it’s about their home life, where they came from or what type of a student they were the previous years. I also love to share my story. I do it all the time via social media, Instagram, Facebook, twitter, etc. I feel it humanizes this experience we call life. I love to learn from others because everyone’s story can have a positive impact on someone else. We can all learn from each other and rid us of the feeling of going through life alone. We all go through ups and downs and it’s a beautiful thing when people are authentic and share these moments to inspire others.
References
Ngozi, Chimamanda. (2009). The Danger of a Single Story. Retrieved July 29, 2015 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg&feature=youtu.be&list=PLbRLdW37G3oMquOaC-HeUIt6CWk-FzaGp