This is actually the second time that I have watched this video of the Danger of a Single Story. Both times I got such different things from watching Chimamanda speak. This time watching, I hurt for Chimamanda as she said that in her childhood all of the stories that she would write mimicked the stories that she would read. Her characters were white, blue eyed and played in the snow. The unintended consequence of reading popular stories was that she didn't know that people like herself could exist as main characters. This reminded me of the importance of representation of the children that we teach. It is so important that they see themselves as main characters and that they see their cultures portrayed in a varied of settings and ways. For example, not portraying all Asian families as Chinese and obviously not portraying all African characters as poor, needing water and barefoot (this is an issue I found in our ENL curriculum).
Finally, it really struck me how single stories are a matter of power. Chimamanda did not only have a single story of America because of the economic power that the US holds, she was exposed to movies, various stories and shows of the American culture. On the contrary, we are often only exposed to a single story of so many cultures which create bias and stereotypes. As Chimamanda stated, stereotypes are incomplete. And it's our job as educators to ensure that students think critically and see the complete story of someone's culture and home.
Finally, it really struck me how single stories are a matter of power. Chimamanda did not only have a single story of America because of the economic power that the US holds, she was exposed to movies, various stories and shows of the American culture. On the contrary, we are often only exposed to a single story of so many cultures which create bias and stereotypes. As Chimamanda stated, stereotypes are incomplete. And it's our job as educators to ensure that students think critically and see the complete story of someone's culture and home.