Danger of a single story
A single story occurs when we form our judgments based on only one narrative or perspective. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie highlighted this concept in her famous TED Talk, "The Danger of a Single Story." She explained how listening to only one version of a story can lead to misunderstanding, stereotyping, and dehumanization.
Humans tend to be judgmental, often accepting one account as the whole truth without considering other viewpoints. This one-sided perspective strips people of complexity and reduces them to simple, usually negative stereotypes.
For instance, I once visited a furniture store where a large portrait was displayed as part of a charity campaign. The image depicted African children in tattered clothing, portraying Africa as a place of poverty and suffering. This kind of imagery reinforces the harmful stereotype that all Africans are poor, which is far from the truth. Africa, like any other continent, is diverse, with a wide range of cultures, economies, and experiences. When only one story is told, it shapes a narrow and often incorrect perception.
This reminds me of my master’s class, where my lecturer frequently assigned TED Talks for us to watch and discuss. Adichie’s talk was one of them, the course was titled “Social-cultural Context of Education.” The experience made me realize how the lessons learned in class can manifest in real life.
When a single narrative is continuously shared, it can unknowingly change how we view others unless we consciously seek out multiple perspectives. Social media, in particular, amplifies these one-sided stories, leading to rushed judgments or even hate speech. Often, it’s the first story we hear that we tend to believe, even though it might be incomplete or misleading.
Every story has multiple sides, and taking the time to discover them can change how we see things from a different perspective. To avoid jumping to conclusions based on just one narrative, it’s important to stay curious and think critically.
Have you ever encountered a one-sided story only to later discover the truth? Share in the comment.