A Review of Chimamanda Adichie's TED Talk: Danger of Single Story

Chimamanda Adichie TED talk on the Danger of a Single Story gives the aspect of the power of how media can form perceptions that defy actual facts. A talented young author, Adichie, a native of Nigeria provides an intelligent debunking of the characterization of people across the world by the prism of the vision of a single source to what makes civilization work.

In her discussion, the young author expounds on the experiences of the foundation of her love for literature. The books of her youth were by American and English authors, these formed the heart of her belief system for a long period regardless of the fact that she was a youngster in Nigeria. This cultural influence, a position that shaded her view of the world formed the core of her talk. As she grew to adulthood, travel and the introduction of African authors give her perspective to see beyond the forces that ferment her earlier world- view.

The power of media sources whether they be a children’s book or the more complex novels of a Pulitzer Prize winner like Alice Walker is in how the reader comes to allow it to influence their vision of the world. Adichie relates the story of how a trip to Mexico allowed her to see her own prejudices and the misinformation of media sources had on her vision of the country and the populous. She speaks of the personal shame that she felt for having let such media bias influence her.

The overall context of the talk is inspiring from the standpoint that she allows the world to she her flaws as human being while chastising the premise of the influence of Western culture on the masses. In reality, entrepreneurism is not a sole property of the West. Cultural character as well is not the sole property as well. Her talk shows the desire of all individuals to have cultural pride.

In conclusion, Ms. Adichie gives the strength to her convictions that is translated to her audience. By the end, the viewer or the attendee has been opened up to rich history of cultures while being given the powerful warning that allowing a single source to much influence in crafting one’s world view can be limiting.



References

Adichie, C. (Artist). (2009). (n.d.). The danger of a single story. [Web Video]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html