Chimamanda Adichie; The danger of a single story
Chimamanda Adichie was born in Nigeria. At age 19, she came to the United States to study. The audience were people who gathered to hear words of wisdom from powerful people with varied interests. The Ted Global speakers were doctors, lawyers, teachers, scientists, etc. Chimamanda Adichie is a novelist from Nigeria who incorporates the tales, tragedies and successes into her literary work. Since then she has written a second novel and a collection of short stories. She divides her time between Nigeria and the United States. In 2009 at Oxford, she delivered a remarkable lecture about the danger of the single story. "How impressionable and vulnerable we are in the face of a story, particularly as children."
Reading this quote made me think about how usually when your young, you believe everything people tell you. See, Chimamanda Adichie mother told her that Fedi was poor and as young as Adichie was, she didn't really think about it. She thought as her mom said Fedi was poor, that he was living in the streets with no family or nothing to eat but in reality he had a loving family that DID have food but not as MUCH as Adichie's family. It makes me think about, no matter what don't underestimate someone and how their living because you wouldn't actually know. Another thing is that don't be so quick to judge someone and their life. It can be more heart-broken than it seems or look.
Another quote that stuck out for me from Ms.Adichie’s was when she was talking about how all the stories she read, she wrote exactly the same kinds of stories. She thought is was necessary to write about the 'white world' that she didn't know anything about. It's crazy how the only voice and point of view she was exposed to was not one of her owns. She thought people in the books couldn't or have any way of looking like her and she thought that the only story settings acceptable HAD to be the ones found in the 'white world.' As she described this encounter she said:
"I wrote exactly the kinds of stories I was reading: All my characters were white and blue-eyed, they played in the snow."
I honestly understand how and why she felt that way because if i was in her position i really think i would of felt the same way she did. Not knowing anybody outside of her color and country can be hard. Everyone has the right to experience the real world and reality. It opens my eyes to actually realize that this world has nothing but problems but, without problems how will you learn about stuff and it makes me think about how some of people don't really get to experience much because reading this quote from Ms.Adichie makes me look at it like everything was an imagination to her. Come to realize, she made it through her book reading and actually got to speak up about she felt and her experience. Now keeping this in mind, don't you agree with me or do you disagree?
Ms. Adichie surprised me when she was describing how she would of looked at Africans the same way as other people were since she experienced the life in the U.S & how those people were. "So after I had spent some years in the U.S. as an African, I began to understand my roommate’s response to me. Africa were I too would think that Africa was a place of beautiful landscapes, beautiful animals, and incomprehensible people, fighting senseless wars, dying of poverty and AIDS, unable to speak for themselves and waiting to be saved by a kind, white foreigner. I would see Africans in the same way that I, as a child, had seen Fide’s family."
This surprised me because it really shows that she wouldn't and won't blame the Americans for what and how they saw the African's. She makes it seem like she would have said and thought the same as the Americans.
I admire Ms. Adichie for being as strong as she has been. I know it was hard for her and her family. When she said "Stories matter. Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign, but stories can also be used to empower and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity." it made me think and realize that it's pretty much true. Stories come from imagination but also comes from past experiences or/and present experienc es of people live's. As I've read & quote "The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story."
Reading this quote made me think about how usually when your young, you believe everything people tell you. See, Chimamanda Adichie mother told her that Fedi was poor and as young as Adichie was, she didn't really think about it. She thought as her mom said Fedi was poor, that he was living in the streets with no family or nothing to eat but in reality he had a loving family that DID have food but not as MUCH as Adichie's family. It makes me think about, no matter what don't underestimate someone and how their living because you wouldn't actually know. Another thing is that don't be so quick to judge someone and their life. It can be more heart-broken than it seems or look.
Another quote that stuck out for me from Ms.Adichie’s was when she was talking about how all the stories she read, she wrote exactly the same kinds of stories. She thought is was necessary to write about the 'white world' that she didn't know anything about. It's crazy how the only voice and point of view she was exposed to was not one of her owns. She thought people in the books couldn't or have any way of looking like her and she thought that the only story settings acceptable HAD to be the ones found in the 'white world.' As she described this encounter she said:
"I wrote exactly the kinds of stories I was reading: All my characters were white and blue-eyed, they played in the snow."
I honestly understand how and why she felt that way because if i was in her position i really think i would of felt the same way she did. Not knowing anybody outside of her color and country can be hard. Everyone has the right to experience the real world and reality. It opens my eyes to actually realize that this world has nothing but problems but, without problems how will you learn about stuff and it makes me think about how some of people don't really get to experience much because reading this quote from Ms.Adichie makes me look at it like everything was an imagination to her. Come to realize, she made it through her book reading and actually got to speak up about she felt and her experience. Now keeping this in mind, don't you agree with me or do you disagree?
Ms. Adichie surprised me when she was describing how she would of looked at Africans the same way as other people were since she experienced the life in the U.S & how those people were. "So after I had spent some years in the U.S. as an African, I began to understand my roommate’s response to me. Africa were I too would think that Africa was a place of beautiful landscapes, beautiful animals, and incomprehensible people, fighting senseless wars, dying of poverty and AIDS, unable to speak for themselves and waiting to be saved by a kind, white foreigner. I would see Africans in the same way that I, as a child, had seen Fide’s family."
This surprised me because it really shows that she wouldn't and won't blame the Americans for what and how they saw the African's. She makes it seem like she would have said and thought the same as the Americans.
I admire Ms. Adichie for being as strong as she has been. I know it was hard for her and her family. When she said "Stories matter. Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign, but stories can also be used to empower and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity." it made me think and realize that it's pretty much true. Stories come from imagination but also comes from past experiences or/and present experienc es of people live's. As I've read & quote "The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story."
Vocabulary Words
Ambulatory |
Tentative |
Analyzing Pictures
Cancer Sticks
The event or issue that is inspired by this cartoon/picture is that cigarettes are related to cancer deaths. The people and/or objects in this cartoon/picture are the camel skeleton, the “cancer sticks” scene from the camel cigarettes. Specific artistic techniques used in the cartoon/picture are symbolism, exaggeration, and labeling. Three things that you might infer from the cartoon/picture are smoking leads to death, smoking leads to cancer, and smoking aren’t good for you or your health. The message of this cartoon/picture is that smoking can cause cancer and death. Special interest groups would agree with thie cartoon/picture would be the healthy people and the special interest groups who would disagree would be the smokers and cigarette companies. The artist’s point of view (for or against) about this topic portrayed in the cartoon/picture is against cigarettes because it equals up to death. This cartoon/picture isn’t really persuasive to me because a lot of people smokes. People may die from smoking cigarettes but theres a lot of people who are still alive from smoking cigarettes, even when they’ve been smoking cigarettes for YEARS.
She's Got Your Eyes
The even issue that is inspired by this cartoon/picture is that people watch and pay too much attention to television, specially any type of technology. The people and/or objects in this cartoon/picture are the little girl/boy with a TV in the middle of her/his eye ball, and the “She Got Your Eyes” scene from the little girl/boy with a TV in the middle of her/his eye ball. Specific artistic techniques used in the cartoon/picture are symbolism, exaggeration, and labeling. Three things that might infer from the cartoon/picture are too much television is not good for you, television can make your eyes go bad, and television is addicting. The message of this cartoon/picture is that too much television isn’t good for you or your eyes. Special interest groups that would agree with this cartoon/picture would be the people who knows that television isn’t life. Special interest groups that would disagree with this cartoon/picture would be the people who has television revolving around their world. The artist’s point of view (for or against) about this topic portrayed in the cartoon/picture is against people watching so much television because there's now a days, technology is just distractions, specially television. This cartoon/picture isn’t really persuasive to me because I barely watch television and i really don't pay any mind to it. I know it's bad for your focus on things and for your eyes but regardless i dont really pay any mind to it what so ever.
Children at War
The even issue that is inspired by this cartoon/picture is that now a days children are the main ones that's going to war, the main ones fighting for our world and the main ones becoming young soldiers. The people and/or objects in this cartoon/picture are the stick people holding guns with helmets on while on a seesaw, and the "Caution : Children At War" scene from young children pointing guns at each other, wearing helmets, and sitting on a seesaw. Specific artistic techniques used in the cartoon/picture are symbolism, exaggeration, and irony. Three things that might infer from the cartoon/picture are children holding guns, wearing helmets, and pointing it at each other. The message of this cartoon/picture is that children are becoming soldiers at a young age but they should at least have the right to be children. Special interest groups that would agree with this cartoon/picture would be the people who are concerned about how many children has died going into war. Special interest groups that would disagree with this cartoon/picture would be the people who wants to help and doesn't mind to help fight for out world. The artist’s point of view (for or against) about this topic portrayed in the cartoon/picture is against young children going to war because the artist's believes that 'children have the right to be children'. This cartoon/picture is kinda persuasive to me because i know how it feels to loose someone so young and so close to you and i know it's not right to bring young children who's just starting to live their lives into war but i also don't find it too persuasive because regardless, it's all about the child's decision. We can't stop them if they wanna go to war and help fight. They all have choices.
A Tale of Two Indias
Economic disparity exist in India because people who lives in the country were poor and uneducated while the people who lives in the city are educated and make more money then the people who lives in the country. A caste system is a system of social classes. It affects economis progress in India because now you can move to the city, make more money and get a better education. Some of the similarities and differences between India and China, the only nation whose economy that's growing more quickly are both India and China are emerging from controlling governments into governments that are more free with opportunities for growth. The major difference between India and China can be found in the diffferences within their governments. India's democracy moves slower than China's authoritarian governments. What China needs is something don, it does it without having to vote and please the people.
To merge as a global power means to grow economically and be open for foreign investments. India now has educated job force so it can be used by other countries. It offers the rest of the world cheap technically trained workers. In the past 20 years, the government began to turn away from socialism and loosen regulations so that there has been an economic growth in India. The size of its middle class doubled in that time because many citizens are migrating to the cities for education and better jobs. The growing gap between the poor and middle class might lead to the poor becoming more poor. With more and more people getting educated, the poor will be left behind and they might not get any needed help or support. International companies put down roots in India because the workers are now trained, educated and work for ledd. Companies can save money while maintaining a satisfactory level of service. American history transformation in India today most resemble is after Civil War and the First World War our country went through a transformation that is similar to hat in India. The citizens had opportunities open up for them that allowed them to better themselves and their families.
I dont think its right for the U.S. companies to send things to India or anywhere else for cheap sources of labor. Even though it's cheaper than paying people in the U.S. to make stuff for us.
To merge as a global power means to grow economically and be open for foreign investments. India now has educated job force so it can be used by other countries. It offers the rest of the world cheap technically trained workers. In the past 20 years, the government began to turn away from socialism and loosen regulations so that there has been an economic growth in India. The size of its middle class doubled in that time because many citizens are migrating to the cities for education and better jobs. The growing gap between the poor and middle class might lead to the poor becoming more poor. With more and more people getting educated, the poor will be left behind and they might not get any needed help or support. International companies put down roots in India because the workers are now trained, educated and work for ledd. Companies can save money while maintaining a satisfactory level of service. American history transformation in India today most resemble is after Civil War and the First World War our country went through a transformation that is similar to hat in India. The citizens had opportunities open up for them that allowed them to better themselves and their families.
I dont think its right for the U.S. companies to send things to India or anywhere else for cheap sources of labor. Even though it's cheaper than paying people in the U.S. to make stuff for us.
'I Have a Dream'
Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream" made one of the most famous speeches on the Twentieth Century highlighting the issues of the day and the correct non-violent approach he wished for on the civil rights movement. King's speech was delivered on 25August1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C. Dr.King gave his speech during a march on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Attended by 250,000 people, Americans of all faiths, races and creeds joined him and other civil rights leaders in this demonstration of solidarity, inspiring and expecting to have demand and respect. It was the largest demonstration ever seen in the nation's capital, and one of the first to have extensive television coverage.
"One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity."
Reading this Quote made me think about how everyone lives in the country and the black man is singled out on the island far away from everyone's prosperity.
Another quote that stuck out for me from "I Have a Dream" was "by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination." by Martin Luther King Jr. It reminds me of the old stories about slave. This quote made me think about how the slaves were kept locked and chained up.
"One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity."
Reading this Quote made me think about how everyone lives in the country and the black man is singled out on the island far away from everyone's prosperity.
Another quote that stuck out for me from "I Have a Dream" was "by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination." by Martin Luther King Jr. It reminds me of the old stories about slave. This quote made me think about how the slaves were kept locked and chained up.
I Have a Dream
Dr.King's dream was freedom. Dr.Kings dream has came true. Why ot why not ? Today, there isn't much racisim and separation of the races like how it use to be back in the day. The way I know or the things that make me think that is because of the way things are today. The things that i see today, everyone's friends with everyone despite the colors. My family and I are living "the dream" motto.
'Growing Up Digital'
Students spends an average of 6.5-7 hours a day using electronic devices/media to entertain themselves, contact their friends in another way than communicating with them in person, researching stuff they need/want to for school, work, fun and etc. Honestly, I spend most of the day on my phone. I’m not too fond of a laptop, computer or etc. anymore. I don’t spend as much time as I use to on facebook because it doesn’t really entertain me like it use to. I spend the most time on twitter than facebook. I barely surf the web now. The only time I surf the web is when I need to research things to get answers for homework or when I feel like looking at clothes, shoes, jewelry and etc. online. These activities don’t really interfere with my life the way it does for some people because regardless I do what I need to do, I stay on top of my work and I make sure I get the things I need to do, done. I’m not going to lie, sometimes it does interrupts my life but every time it does I always catch myself and I just continue to do what I need/have to do.
Cell phones, computers, tablets and etc. use can be a problem when you let it take over you’re responsibilities. I know it’s a problem when I don’t pay attention to anything im suppose to be paying attention to. Some students can’t concentrate on anything using their cellphones, computers, tablets and etc. because text messages, websurfing, twitter, facebook and etc. are too much of a destraction. Electronic media allows for instant communication, music, researching and etc. By using the computer and the internet, students can learn typing skills, researching skills, communication skills and etc. Texting is only really useful for quick updates. In person is also somewhat useful for quick updates but it’s more useful for heartful, real, meaningful, private conversations. Our school has a very strict policy for cellphone usage.
If I can’t use my cell phone for a day I don’t think I would be a happy camper. I would feel naked without my phone.
Cell phones, computers, tablets and etc. use can be a problem when you let it take over you’re responsibilities. I know it’s a problem when I don’t pay attention to anything im suppose to be paying attention to. Some students can’t concentrate on anything using their cellphones, computers, tablets and etc. because text messages, websurfing, twitter, facebook and etc. are too much of a destraction. Electronic media allows for instant communication, music, researching and etc. By using the computer and the internet, students can learn typing skills, researching skills, communication skills and etc. Texting is only really useful for quick updates. In person is also somewhat useful for quick updates but it’s more useful for heartful, real, meaningful, private conversations. Our school has a very strict policy for cellphone usage.
If I can’t use my cell phone for a day I don’t think I would be a happy camper. I would feel naked without my phone.
