The consequence of a single story

I recently viewed Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s compelling presentation on TED titled The danger of a single story.

Chimamanda argues that the problem with the single story, or stereotypes, is that they are incomplete and they become the only story. The consequence, Chimamanda states, “is that it robs people of dignity.”

“It makes our recognition of an equal humanity difficult,” she continues.

“Stories have been used to dispossess and malign. But stories can also be used to empower and to humanise.”

Africa is a continent comprised of 53 countries, 5 time zones, approximately 2000 languages and more than 1 billion people.

Yet, more often than not, the dominant culture and media describes “Africa” in broad brush strokes. Kenyan writer, Binyavanga Wainaina, highlights this point in his drippingly satirical piece – How to Write about Africa.

This single story of Africa is similar to that of “Aboriginal Australia” – well meaning, but patronising and completely disempowering.

Prior to British colonisation of Australia there were more than 200 language and country groups across the continent. Today the single story of Aboriginal Australia is one of dysfunction, incarceration, abuse, addiction, poor health, poor education and dependence.

The power of many stories, diverse stories, to debunk and challenge the single story is central to what we, at Human Ventures, continue to focus our attention on. Documenting and showcasing these stories is vitally important.

By enabling people and communities to develop and share their stories, our hope is that we will ultimately educate, empower, heal and unite.