A521.2.3.R.B_SiegmundWayne

The Danger of a Single Story

     Adichie speaks of stories in the sense of perceptions, views, and perspective. She uses numerous examples of one-sided views that lend themselves to a shortsightedness providing a limited understanding on something. Adichies' single story examples were situations where people had a single sided perception for a number of reasons based on experiences, or lack thereof. What she is trying to show, is everyone's blindness to all the other perceptions yet to be had. The danger she expresses in having only one story about something, or someone, is that it defines that something, or someone. The consequences of having only one story is that it robs us of our dignity (Adichie, 2009). And the more powerful, or credible the source, or sources sharing single stories, is what makes them even more true.

     Listening to Adichie (2009), makes me more aware of how storytelling can be shared. She is very effective in showing us our limited vision and awareness. Adichie captures the dangerous position we can all have when we choose to define someone, or something based on one perspective. She tells her story and shares the crux of it within the story she tells us. She does not explain the why as much as she allows you to see the naturally occurring issues that come about from having only a single story.

     A story with the intention to convey a message, lesson, a point, or to inspire, or become aware, ought to be well planned out. In consideration of how storytelling could be done, it is invaluable to know your audience, so as to be able to gain an idea of how your story will be received. Will your story's message be effectively conveyed? Is the story relative to your audience? Doe it apply? Is your story comprehendible? Adichie (2009) conveyed in simplistic terms, the value in knowing the dangers of having a single story. I find her approach in telling her story very powerful, clear, easy to understand and share.

    Adichie reinforces within me the power that leaders can have in their effect on individuals as well as cultures. Bard (2008) tells of the differences that exist and how they came to be between the Palestinians and the Israelis. If a scholar on the subject conveys one side of the story, the other side is automatically dismissed, left with a sort of half-truth. It is the leader's responsibility to ensure they do not fall into the traps of not only believing what they see and hear from a single source, but not to be a single source themselves. Telling stories with one side, limits the other side, and all the other stories from ever being heard. However, stories can damage as well as repair. Be mindful.


References:

Bard, M. G. (2008). On one foot. Retrieved from https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/pub/oof2008.pdf.

Adichie, C. N. (2009). The danger of a single story. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story?language=en.