We’ll discuss the role of storytelling in activism. Stories can lead to persuasion, protest, and policy changes. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie‘s story–and the many stories that circulate in her life–inform her writing, non-profit work, and public engagement.

As you watch, take note of anything you like, find interesting, relate to, or have questions about. Be ready to describe “single stories” Adichie held about other people or places and “singles stories” that were imposed upon her.

Consider Adichie’s definition of a single story. We understand single stories to be stereotypes that gain traction, eventually becoming common narratives often fueled by hate or fear and subconsciously accepted as some sort of truth. Single stories can reflect that people fear what they don’t know or understand. They are single-minded stories told by outsiders who do not necessarily know or understand the people, place, or culture about which they’re talking. Single stories emphasize how people are different rather than how they’re similar. Single stories misrepresent or reduce cultural identity, distorting and simplifying how people are perceived. Single stories inspire pity and/or negative perspective for a group of people. She notes that she had developed a single story about Fide, her family’s “house boy” in Nigeria for whom she had “enormous pity”; this single story limited her view of Fide. Adichie also details the many single stories she has faced as an African in American, and specifically, as a person from Nigeria.

IN-CLASS WRITING

What single stories have circulated in your life? Consider the single stories you may have held about other people, places, or cultures. What is one example of a single story you had and how did you expand or complicate it? Alternatively, you may wish to write about a single story that has been thrust upon you. How do you feel you have been reduced by someone else’s single story about you?

HOMEWORK

POST your in-class writing to your WordPress site.

READ your group’s assigned text:

• Group A: read Aja Martinez’s “A Plea for Critical Race Theory Counterstory”
• Group B: read Aja Martinez’s “Alejandra Writes a Book”

COME TO NEXT CLASS with a initial impressions or questions about your assigned text. You will work in-class on 9/7 to compose a presentation to the whole group.