1. 1. My immediate take-away from this video was how Adichie used the phrase, “A single story,” to describe, in a sense, ignorance and one-sided views of people, culture, and the world. What she said made sense to me. She talked about how we are so vulnerable, especially as children. We may be introduced to this idea that everyone looks and acts a certain way, and this idea is not true. Her personal stories used as examples were evidence of how this idea, this perception, can change someone’s life and view of themselves. Adichie talked of how she would write stories of foreign characters, because those types of characters are what she had been exposed to. She talked about viewing literature as never being able to connect to herself… and what a horrible thought! One of the greatest things about literature is its ability to show ourselves in it, so we can identify and relate to characters and events, so that we can learn. She talked of how she discovered African literature, and how it changed her perception of herself. This is what literature does – it changes our minds, alters our views, and provokes thought. I believe that it is vital for each and every person to appreciate who they are and the differences, and similarities, between them and others. It is commonly said that one must be able to love themselves before they love someone else, before someone loves them. With Adichie’s personal stories – and the way in which she found herself – this common thought seems to make more sense. Adichie’s examples drive her points further – people are not always what they are perceived to be.
2. 2. Adichie possessed effective speaking techniques. One noticeable technique was her ability to speak calmly and evenly while still holding the audience’s attention. Since she told stories, it was vital that she was able to peak an interest in the audience but also articulate her personal experiences effectively. It was also noticeable that the way in which she spoke was controlled by her ultimate goal for her presentation – to tell her stories in the way in which she would naturally tell them, the way they would come to her. As it is her experience, and her story, and therefore should be told by her true voice. It was obvious that Adichie used her voice.
3. 3. I found Adichie’s presentation style to be extremely effective – due largely in part to its simplicity. Like I mentioned above, she told her story, so it was of extreme importance that it was told in her voice, using her methods. Adichie presented in a simple manner – one that was not distracting nor overwhelming. This was effective due to what she was presenting – her story. In addition, Adichie included quotes from other adventurers and authors. This evidence that was provided helped to deepen understanding of her point.
4. 4. This video matters. Points were discussed that are of paramount importance to ourselves as human beings – how we must look beyond what we are told, investigate and decide for ourselves what kind of person someone is, or what kind of person we are. We must not assume that a person consists of one thing. In truth, we, as humans, are made up of an unimaginable number of things – things that may change with time and experience. This matters to the world, to education, and to ourselves, because as we grow and develop and enter and interact with the world and everything in it, we need to be able to look beyond a label, a title, a word… and figure out the truth for ourselves. We also need to be able to love ourselves. Without both abilities, how will we live? We must broaden our horizons and realize that we are all humans. We must embrace our differences and strive to learn and encounter other people and other cultures. We cannot possess a restricted point of view – for we may be drastically wrong. Adichie, in addition to others’ single stories, talked of her own possession of a single story. This is important, so as to realize that many people are guilty of possession of a single story. She also mentions that stories, though may of the same topic, are told differently due to the storyteller, the listener, the point of view, the time the story is told, etc. Hearing these stories, all different, yet the same ones, deepen our understanding of an event or situation and encourage us to avoid making the single story the only story.
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