If you have never heard of TED talks, they are yet another forum of social media used for entertainment in many different subjects. Honestly if you cannot find something you like, you must be doing it wrong. One of my all-time favorites has to be a brilliant talk given by Chimamanda Adichie in titled, “The Danger of a Single Story.”
Adichie is a novelist, originally from the African country of Nigeria, who has received numerous awards not only as a writer but also as a speaker. “The Danger of a Single Story” is one of her most famous and widely known speeches. The talk explores the idea of identity markers and the authenticity of a human life within our world, especially in America. This is most definitely something everyone should watch.
I was first exposed to this TED talk in my public speaking course last semester. Our professor sat us down in the classroom and started the video without any prior introduction. I had expectations of yet another boring video we had to watch as part of our curriculum but it soon became something I will always hold near to my heart. I believe that this is a talk that needs to be viewed by everyone. It strikes you with such power and influences you to be better.
The prevalence of a single story is incredibly relevant in our world today. Our media portrays many groups of people today that live in certain cultures or environments that may or may not be accurate. This has caused many of us to produce stereotypes of the people we live with day to day—our single stories. With the chaos that our country is undergoing right now, we could all use a little positivity in our lives. This talk gives that and more.
Without giving away any spoilers, Adichie puts it simply, “The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.” Don’t allow yourself to have a narrow mind if you do not have to. Create your own definition of diversity. This speech serves as an inspiration to be better—a better, educated, and inspiring person. O
ur chaotic society will most likely always succumb to stereotypes based on religion, physical appearances, beliefs, and even environment. But culture is so incredibly fascinating because no two things are alike. Even different families of the same backgrounds and daily practices/beliefs have different traditions that are worth learning about.
How are we supposed to limit our knowledge on groups of people based on what we hear and see on social media or on television? We are lucky because we have such an incredible array of resources that can aid us in learning more than a single story. It’s time to use them and appreciate who you are. We are all people of many stories who live in this world together to learn and thrive from one another.
I implore you all to give this talk a chance, to be inspired, and be better.
