Beyond the Danger of a Single Story
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explains “The Danger of a Single Story” in her TED Talk. The collective lack of knowledge challenges our ability to build and sustain equitable environments. Most do not know the histories and stories of others beyond the misinformed stereotypes that are disseminated through the media, family, and friends. This information gap creates distance between us because it influences our prejudicial thoughts (sidenote: we are all prejudice), which dictates our discriminatory actions (sidenote: our actions are guided by our thoughts). Consequently, when one does not think highly of someone else or another group or does not even that group exists, those feelings allow one to turn away from the discrimination and oppression experienced by that group. In other words, one believes that those experiences are justifiable because the group deserves unfair treatment because they are [fill in random stereotype].
This vicious cycle of oppression remains unchecked because the root, the lack of knowledge/oversaturation of misinformation, receives no positive attention, resulting in unawareness. To combat this at my institution, I have began an “Honor and Acknowledge” email thread, in which we share and learn pertinent information about heritage months, weeks, and days. Additionally, these emails serve to see and recognize community members with that identity and affirm their value. This month is Women’s History Month and we need to bring to attention the amazing accomplishments by women that are overlooked, forgotten, or ignored.
Here are three tips to help move you beyond the single story:
Read books and watch movies written by marginalized and vulnerable voices, including women, people of color, disabled, LGBTQ, etc.
Be critical of media and its high reliance on stereotypes - What do they gain by only sharing one narrative? Who is silenced?
Explore your city and attend activities and events hosted and sponsored by different folks (Post-Covid tip)
