I completely agree with Chimamanda Ngozi. A single story can cause critical misunderstanding. As I watched Ms. Ngozi’s TED Talk, “The Danger of a Single Single Story,” I was in the mindset of an educator. I believe this concept is especially true in education. The classroom is an excellent platform to begin spreading this message. However, the message must be spread to our students by showing and not just telling them. Showing them that knowing only one story can lead to vulnerability and our mind to become complacent. Then introducing them to different stories, so that they can begin to experience a mental shift in perception of literature. Ms. Ngozi explained this well, by telling us that after many years reading European literature, she believed that people and places where all one way. Since she didn’t look like the characters and didn’t live in an area that resembled the places described in the stories, she felt she didn’t exist in literature or elsewhere. It wasn’t until she was introduced to African Literature that she began believing she could exist in literature. We can’t narrow our focus in the classroom. We have to expose them and let them explore different stories, so they understand that they do exist. Then guide them in telling their stories.
“All stories make you who you are.” This is why it is important to tell your story. How else will people know that they are not the only ones going through something. There are people that have experienced similar situations in life and maybe haven’t told their story, and might feel as if they’re the only one. Telling your story could make the difference for that person and validate that they belong, are not in isolation, which will show them that they matter and empower them. Ms. Ngozi states, “the consequence of a single story is that it robs people of dignity. It makes recognition of equal humanity difficult, and it emphasizes how we’re different rather than similar.” This was an epiphany for me. I personally don’t tell me story. I enjoy reading other stories, and try to read many stories. Yet I do not believe that my story will benefit anyone. I’m still processing all this, but Ms. Ngozi’s words are so poignant, that I am beginning to reconsider.
Show your Work, by Austin Kleon and Chimamanda Ngozi’s, TED Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” have caused my brain to do flips with all this new information that has challenged my beliefs. As a leader in my district, I believe I must be transparent, in order to build healthy relationships and be effective in my job. With my new learning, I am willing to being practicing some of these concepts of showing my work and telling my story. Both Kleon and Ngozi’s communicated their message through story, and both were powerful. I’m going to close my reflection with Ngozi’s poignant closing words, “When we reject a single story, we realize there’s never a single story about any place. We regain a kind of paradise.”
“All stories make you who you are.” This is why it is important to tell your story. How else will people know that they are not the only ones going through something. There are people that have experienced similar situations in life and maybe haven’t told their story, and might feel as if they’re the only one. Telling your story could make the difference for that person and validate that they belong, are not in isolation, which will show them that they matter and empower them. Ms. Ngozi states, “the consequence of a single story is that it robs people of dignity. It makes recognition of equal humanity difficult, and it emphasizes how we’re different rather than similar.” This was an epiphany for me. I personally don’t tell me story. I enjoy reading other stories, and try to read many stories. Yet I do not believe that my story will benefit anyone. I’m still processing all this, but Ms. Ngozi’s words are so poignant, that I am beginning to reconsider.
Show your Work, by Austin Kleon and Chimamanda Ngozi’s, TED Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” have caused my brain to do flips with all this new information that has challenged my beliefs. As a leader in my district, I believe I must be transparent, in order to build healthy relationships and be effective in my job. With my new learning, I am willing to being practicing some of these concepts of showing my work and telling my story. Both Kleon and Ngozi’s communicated their message through story, and both were powerful. I’m going to close my reflection with Ngozi’s poignant closing words, “When we reject a single story, we realize there’s never a single story about any place. We regain a kind of paradise.”