TED Talks Chimamanda Adichie: The danger of a single story

superego · Oct 7, 2009 , 09:27 PM

She carefully, thoughtfully explains the dangers in western literature books. She also intelligently explains how colonials used their power to write the African story in a way of consolidating a losing position for the less powerful(as at now) Africa.

Auspicious · Oct 7, 2009 , 10:13 PM

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Those were beautiful insightful expressions from Ms. Adichie.

Thanks for sharing, superego - perhaps you noticed your own words:

She carefully, thoughtfully explains

Now that, my friend, is what is mostly missing from your expressed thoughts around here - notice how she did it all, sans exegerrations, revisionisms, apologies for dictatorships or sweeping disrespect of white folks or christians/jews. She told the truth without losing the message to the usual trappings.

Oooh, she was good. It's not that we disagree with these truths that are self-evident around us; it is the manner it is presented by the likes of superego that some of us find irksome - that presentation that is full of hateful exergerrations that barely touch on the part that WE play in our own misfortunes as Africans.

Hopefully, I will find time to comment further on Ms. Adichie's talk.

Gosh, I love that young lady. I WANT HER!

Auspicious.

Marin · Oct 7, 2009 , 10:19 PM

Excellent speech! This type of articulate, self assured yound woman does more for the image of Nigeria, than the ridiculous rebranding effort of the government. Unfortunately, with the occurences in our educational institutions, the number of potential Chimamandasare being decimated.

mulan · Oct 7, 2009 , 10:52 PM

I love this woman so much. Now I have fallen even more.

:cl ap:

emj · Oct 8, 2009 , 01:39 AM

Excellent Chimamanda...the face of HOPE.

For the first time...Super, u try..hope the message of Single story is not lost on u?

superego · Oct 8, 2009 , 01:58 AM

Originally Posted by emj

Excellent Chimamanda...the face of HOPE.

For the first time...Super, u try..hope the message of Single story is not lost on u?

I live a life dedicated to presenting 'another/the-other story'. It is not lost yet. Thank God.

Austin · Oct 8, 2009 , 02:03 AM

Thanks Superego for sharing this speech, it is a wonderful speech, well written, well delivered - to a different people and in a different setting - of course.

Now, that lady is beautiful and she spoke beautifully too. So, how can she become part of my harem? Superego, any thots?

In any case, there is a handsome reward of $1 Zimbabwean for anyone that can make it happen.

I am Austin and I approve this message

superego · Oct 8, 2009 , 02:08 AM

Join a very long line Austin. Take a number...looks like the next tally available is 5876...ooops, *edited, it's already 6011

Austin · Oct 8, 2009 , 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by superego

Join a very long line Austin. Take a number...looks like the next tally available is 5876...ooops, *edited, it's already 6011

Ol' boy, that queque long o. But I will wait out my chance sha... who knows the others beforme me might catch svine flu... or something worse. Maybe an earthquake may consume them leaving me and the beaut... you never know... anything can happen... and she is worth it 6011 of us at least agree on this fact

Igboamaeze · Oct 8, 2009 , 02:33 PM

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Notice how she intelligently "yabbed" Nigeria's leadership (or lack of leadership) while praising the Nigerian spirit.

A genuine beauty with brains. That's what she is...

Gbenga · Oct 8, 2009 , 07:19 PM

http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_...gle_story.html

N.A.R. · Oct 8, 2009 , 07:59 PM

Gbenga,
Thanks for that link. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Remains an impressive lady. I honestly have not read her books, in fact I am hoping to be able to download them to my phone so I can listen to them on the go. She is evidence that Nigeria was, is and can still be a great nation that produces examplary citizens. Its gratifying to see that the likes of Wole Shoyinka, Chinua Achebe, Fela Kuti et al are not figures of a past era that has been forever lost.

I Love Nigeria · Oct 8, 2009 , 08:21 PM

The incandescently brilliant Ngozi Chimamda Adichie... We LOVE YOU!!!!!

No one can say those words of hers better!

Nigeria and Africa in the singular was a title to which I actually gave an essay I wrote a while ago... But Single Story is a title that fits!

I am in love!

I Love Nigeria · Oct 8, 2009 , 08:25 PM

Dear NVS Administrators/Moderators, please watch Ms. Ngozi Chimamanda Adichie's presentation... and feel compelled to post it as a must-see Podcast, PLEASE? It is sooooo valuable... it should be compulsory view for Nigerians/Africans and peoples of African descent!

Please put Ms. Adichie at the same par value with the Utomi, Ribadu, Rufai front-page, she actually has a more refreshing perspective which is not tired and worn and recycled!

I Love Nigeria · Oct 8, 2009 , 08:31 PM

I am late to this party, boy!

I hereby move a motion, seconded by Auspicious, that this thread be made to appear on the front page without fluctuations. NVS Administrators/Moderators should make this very thoughtful presentation into a must-see for visitors to NVS.

Auspicious · Oct 8, 2009 , 08:38 PM

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Hey, ILN.

Nor go 'pour' for insai shokoto o!

Cuz as yu dey hapi so, me, ah dey fear.

Auspicious.

valteena · Oct 8, 2009 , 09:25 PM

A very impressive cool and collected lady indeed. And what a profound and articulate speech. A gem indeed.

Originally Posted by I Love Nigeria

Dear NVS Administrators/Moderators, please watch Ms. Ngozi Chimamanda Adichie's presentation... and feel compelled to post it as a must-see Podcast, PLEASE? It is sooooo valuable... it should be compulsory view for Nigerians/Africans and peoples of African descent!

Please put Ms. Adichie at the same par value with the Utomi, Ribadu, Rufai front-page, she actually has a more refreshing perspective which is not tired and worn and recycled!

Originally Posted by I Love Nigeria

I am late to this party, boy!

I hereby move a motion, seconded by Auspicious, that this thread be made to appear on the front page without fluctuations. NVS Administrators/Moderators should make this very thoughtful presentation into a must-see for visitors to NVS.

And I totally agree with both your proposal here ILN

Big-K · Oct 9, 2009 , 01:12 AM

Nice work. Its on the homepage.

Note: Videos on our homepage may be IE unfriendly. Use Firefox

enitan · Oct 9, 2009 , 01:23 AM

This woman is amazing..a living legend in her own rightNo one has held my attention like she just need (well okay, maybe Obama). I'm so pleased, so overwhelmed, with renewed hope..that maybe one day, just maybe.....

She speaks of such hope...to see libraries in Nigeria once again! Argghh..i can taste it already! Bring on Farafina! I'll be the one asking how i can help...

Oh for the day!! I can see it, i can just see it now....

Big-K · Oct 9, 2009 , 01:29 AM

She absolutely just made my week.

The import of the topic - THE DANGER OF SINGLE STORIES - should not be lost on us Nigerians.

We should all individually and corporately fight against stereotyping.