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Chimamanda Adichie: The danger of a single story

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Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice -- and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.

Why you should listen to her:

In Nigeria, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel Half of a Yellow Sun has helped inspire new, cross-generational communication about the Biafran war. In this and in her other works, she seeks to instill dignity into the finest details of each character, whether poor, middle class or rich, exposing along the way the deep scars of colonialism in the African landscape.

Adichie's newest book, The Thing Around Your Neck, is a brilliant collection of stories about Nigerians struggling to cope with a corrupted context in their home country, and about the Nigerian immigrant experience.

Adichie builds on the literary tradition of Igbo literary giant Chinua Achebe—and when she found out that Achebe liked Half of a Yellow Sun, she says she cried for a whole day. What he said about her rings true: “We do not usually associate wisdom with beginners, but here is a new writer endowed with the gift of ancient storytellers.”

"When she turned 10 and read Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, about the clash between Igbo tradition and the British colonial way of life, everything changed: ‘I realized that people who looked like me could live in books.’ She has been writing about Africa ever since."
Washington Post
Comments (21)
  • |80.76.66.xxx |2009-10-11 22:12:18 RKO  - I love this
    It's inspiring and a kick against Western conspiracy!
    ReplyQuote
  • |62.61.164.xxx |2009-10-12 04:05:40 Osayawe Ogieva  - THE NEED FOR BALANCE
    This is one of the most beautiful speeches I had ever listened to. Chimamanda is right; man, a people,communities and societies cannot and should not be stereotyped by a single story. All peoples and societies have both negatives and positives. Chimamnanda is a blessing to the world, just like Barack Obama.
    ReplyQuote
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  • |80.169.134.xxx |2009-10-12 08:31:24 susie  - WHY
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  • |41.184.48.xxx |2009-10-12 09:59:01 toyin campbell
    This is the best start to a new week. We all have been a victim of single stories in different ways. It is a well learned person that sees things from all areas of the house not just from the south window.
    ReplyQuote
  • |41.217.2.xxx |2009-10-12 10:30:02 Maple Tammy Dappa  - DEEP ROOTED WISDOM
    This is my definition of an educated person....not by cash, fame, etc but by what is collected in the person's mind and how it is being used...this is greatness! I long to meet her in person....there are more inspiring stories she would have to share...a Nigerian pride
    ReplyQuote
  • |196.1.177.xxx |2009-10-12 18:18:39 GODFREY NWOSU  - Her best is yet to come
    When I attended the literary evening organized by Farafina books to round up the workshop they organised, what happened to me right inside that hall is what informed my decision to ensure the everyday I must read a book even if it's cartoon. CHIMAMADA is simply another ACHEBE of our time watch out how she will turn the literary world around.
    ReplyQuote
  • |41.184.49.xxx |2009-10-14 08:21:16 tobi  - The Girl is Good
    I pray she gets to win the nobel prize for literature...she's a genius, her work is so inspiring...She brings joy to my heart to hail from the same country as she. :love:
    ReplyQuote
  • |81.108.82.xxx |2009-10-15 00:01:14 Peter Ekpoba Okojie  -  Re -Single Stories
    I watched this video clip with the intention of just to see what is was all about but ended up being captivated by the deep insight it revealed. Truely, something good happens everywhere, but only the negatives get emphasised. Now I know better... I would have remained in my country to fight it out than coming to Europe to be treated based on the colour of my skin rather than my hard-earned university degrees. It is well. We will surely overcome these barriers someday.

    Thank you. Please keep up the good works.
    ReplyQuote
  • |81.108.82.xxx |2009-10-15 00:04:51 Peter Ekpoba Okojie
    Well done, my sister

    Keep up the good works.
    ReplyQuote
  • |124.195.58.xxx |2009-10-15 17:30:39 George
    I have not read CHIMAMADA but her works speak volume of her creative accomplishment especially her thematic and descriptive portrayals.She is and going to be a huge inspiration to many young writers in the country.Kudos
    ReplyQuote
  • |77.220.15.xxx |2009-10-17 07:10:29 olu  - single story
    chi
    i am one of the few that belived can be better than you if we have the same opportunity of being lecturer's ward. alas, i am gravely wrong about you. i have been influenced by the single story that you are a lecturer's daughter. i am sorry. i did not know your other story until now even though i have read some of your books.
    do please accept my heart felt regards.
    olumuyiwa
    ReplyQuote
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