The problem is... her rich middle class family is the exception in Nigeria and Africa in general. Sure, when wealthy Africans are sent abroad to study and are met with stupid questions it must annoy them. But the reason all we see on tv is poor Africans is because most of them are poor.
I've believed for many years that our stories make us who we are, what we believe, what we hope and dream, and how we know the world -- until we begin to acknowledge, then overcome our own limitations. Those stories we first learned, then began to become. I once wrote this in a play, via one character to his long lost love after she disagrees saying: "Stories don't make up people -- people make up stories!" He responds, "But can you? Don't they?" Great lesson, magical story!
I can soooo relate to this. I come from a middle-class Indian family. What I read in my English school books was so different from me. What I heard about poor Indian families was shockingly untrue (remember Slumdog Millionaire?)
The western perspective of India was so disturbing. It was so elephants/maharajas/snakecharmers. Now the west has two stories about India, the second being outsourcing/bollywood. Still so far from the truth. Maybe Nigeria and India are similar to each other.
What if her roommate knew that Nigeria was a success story just because it withstood pressures from the west to divide and conquer it politically to get at its resources and is one of the few African countries to do so.
Wish more POC understood the single story. So many times i have conversations with my people about why we shouldn't look at Latinas & Asians in stereotypical ways. Such hard conversations because they take the shyt they see on the news or the one bad interaction on the bus, that single story as the story for a whole people.
The relationship between the environment and the mind is like an orchestrated band where the environment is the director that orchestrates the musical notes that are ought to play. Each microcosmic environment direct their own band, the notes that are being played are from the minds, but the combination of all these notes form the symphony of the universal orchestra that makes the world revolve in a harmonious way. peoplebreeze com
OMGOSH... she couldn't have put that any better. That was absolutely brilliant - and she definitely gives hope to millions of people who want to become authors just like her. :)
The relationship between the environment and the mind is like an orchestrated band where the environment is the director that orchestrates the musical notes that are ought to play. Each microcosmic environment direct their own band, the notes that are being played are from the minds, but the combination of all these notes form the symphony of the universal orchestra that makes the world revolve in a harmonious way.
I had to watch this for my sociology class. Man this is informational and eye opening. I'm cutting back on my prejudice ways and beliefs of the "single" story. I want paradise.
This is a wonderfully articulated and well researched speech...Chimamanda is always my icon...HEY, SORRY FOR THOSE 58 PEOPLE THAT "DISLIKE" THIS,...THEY SHOWED US THE LEVEL OF THEIR COMPUTER LITERACY.... THEY THOUGHT THE "DISLIKE" BUTTON WAS FOR "DOWNLOAD"....
Your commentaries are very timely ! I am glad you had your particular set of experiences in life and boldly present your point of view. Ultimately you will help a good portion of the people of the earth to see a new picture and change their paradigms.
@MaritaValdez : You are wrong, she is still a nigerian as of last year and I doubt she will be american maybe seek for a dual nationalty tho for bureaucracy and for convinience
@MaritaValdez oh please..she is AFRICAN...lets not go into the african-american thing,technically or not.in a talk she gave this year,she spoke about approaching immigration officers with her nigerian passport and how most of them had an unfriendly thing to say cos of her passport and the numerous visas it contained.she spends half her time in the US and other half in Nigeria..it doesnt change her citizenship
As someone from the "3rd World" myself, I strongly identify with what Ms Adichie says - this talk should be compulsory listening for every politician and every citizen- and especially every child - living in the 3rd world. Knowing the single story what it does and where it comes from will enable us to break the pattern. Thank you Ms Adichie.
As someone from the "3rd World" myself, I strongly identify with what Ms Adichie says - this talk should be compulsory listening for every politician and every citizen- and especially every child - living in the 3rd world. Knowing the single story what it does and where it comes from will enable us to break the pattern. Thank you Ms Adichie.
i have seen this video numerous times now. i just love it. she is just such a beautiful woman! mentally, physically and verbally, everything about her is just amazing!
I travel a lot so that I can experience the culture of other regions, I love to know and understand life other than that in which I was brought up, less boring for a start, but enlightening in the whole.
Great video, the world is shrinking and now people are finally learning the truth that the media hides, distorts and often deceives us all to maintain control of us all.
Personally speaking, I've been around many people who will say that I speak well or that I speak very proper. My thinking was it was because I was black (not saying they are racist but probably prejudice).
I'm saying that said people were surprised that I didn't speak in an accent or ebonics (I'm West African). Not that speaking in ebonics is bad.
HOWEVER, in this case. It was a very well said speech and if the commentor meant it that way, then by all means I agree. It was articulate.
I was trying to understand the insult. To all who disagreed with Quemin's comment, it would probably be important to understand that the comment that was made can speak to people of different perspectives. It's okay to disagree, while understanding that someone else watching the video would actually feel compelled to say 'very articulate' or 'well enunciated' story, out of that person's ignorant perspective of a black or African. And people are careful about not reinforcing those perspectives.
I vacillated to click this video, thinking "o great, another African women talking about black pride again". I will admit that I wasn't expecting a very intellectual or awe-inspiring talk from this women.
5 minutes in I felt tears running down my face in awe.
This women took any judgemental bullshit I was thinking before, and turned it into something else. It is truly one of the greatest enlightenments I've ever had.
To Chimamanda Adichie I watched your video & I was really impressed of your ideas& I think that we need to think this way in Africa so we can now about ourselves & our neighbors also we can make other people see us. I hope i can read your book soon. Thanks again
Fantastic and thought provoking! As a high school English teacher, I will be showing this to my students. This will make for a great class discussion and writing assignment.
Listening to this reminded me of another writers speech in Ted Talks, a woman writer from Turkey, Elif Şafak. She was talking about a similar subject and it was also a very inspiring speech, to whomever this was interesting i would also recommend to watch her speech too.
On an additional note, I think its mostly American people who are being fed the seterotypes. They are constantly presented with stereotypes disguised as information and its a struggle to wade through it to reach real info..
I have never heard my entire thoughts said so eloquently. The single story affects all of us, including myself, for I know that I have been brainwashed by the single story thrown around by Films, books and the News. Thank you Chimamanda Adichie for having the balls to stand up and wake us up.
I cannot understand why 55 people dislike this? What is there NOT to like about it? We as a people need to learn how to accept the truth (recognise the logs in our eyes) especially when it is laid done so humbly and without judgement or malice. Well done Ms Adichie - very well done !!
@hrban1 It seems not to matter what youtube clip one watches there are always dislikes. Often they are comments about things not directly related to the content of the clip, like the person's clothing, hair, posture, etc. When it is about the content, the comment is still not really on point. That's my observation.
Wouldn't this be a fine addition to the curriculum of all our 16yo school students, all our police recruits, all our social services bureaucrats and our mass media presenters
I have recently read Chimamanda book The Thing Around Your Neck and found the book surreal. The book speaks about stories many people choose to ignore or except.
I can totally relate to what shes saying. I'm a Nigerian currently studying in Germany and most Germans i've come across find it hard to believe that i've spent my whole life in Nigeria, Because according to them i'm too refined to be an African. Let's all stay away from the single story!!
When I was 24 and visiting Spain, I met a German girl and told here I was from Mexico. When she saw my white skin and common western clothes, I had her to compulsively reply "but you aren't brown, and where is your hat?" I could not believe that she actually mean what she said, and to later discover the same story to repeat several times in almost every country that I have visited so far. Media deceives.
she is so right. Many people define Africans as always poor and not help-able. well that is very wrong. where you come from should not only define who you are.
@02010748 I have to tell seemingly, educated Americans and Brits, that Africa is a continent and then they look at me as if I've said something strange to them. I was even asked once what language was spoken in Africa. I responded that the entire place spoke Mexican (Get the pun)!
Very Inspiring... Even if most times i try not to have a single story about people and things, its funny how experiences, the media or just one sided observation causes me to unknowingly form and inadvertently believe in a single story. Its wonderful to have a beautiful reminder like this. Shes truly an inspiration.
Chimamanda tells us logic and does so in such a loving style we listen and learn, that is rare in this time of quickie living ..... felt good , like a comfy hug
I hope you all realize when you say 'very articulate' or that this story is 'well enunciated' is insulting. Its basically insinuating that because she is black (or african) that she would automatically not speak well.
Its condescending even though I know it is supposed to be a compliment
@Quemin Being 'very articulate' is something that anyone might aspire to. I see no more condescension in such a compliment than I would in such positive descriptors as talented or gorgeous.
@Quemin it isn't insulting to say someone is articulate, I don't think I would be able to speak this well in front of a crowd of people. It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with race but just being impressed with the talk itself.
@Quemin I can't agree. If it would be a white man or woman telling the same story, I might still say 'very articulate' or 'well enunciated'; because giving a speech like that requires a lot of speaking abilities, wether you're white or black... But otherwise I can imagine some people are only surprised of the speaking abilities of a black women, but not of a white man... wich is a pitty.
@Quemin I hope you realize that saying something is articulate when it is articulate is nothing but a simple compliment as it is more of a description of the speech itself and not a racial slur. If a person said, "Wow she was articulate for a black girl" then it is a slure but as such just calling it articualte is perfecly fine. It is the same as say telling a chef that their food tasted good or telling fashion designer you like their sense of style.
What are you talking about? Condescending? Why Can't it just be a compliment? why does it have to insinuate anything? I say she is very articulate and this speech was very well presented not because I think that African American's can't do this normally, I say this because the Average person can't do this normally. She is very exceptional beyond the confines of her race.
A brave, thought-provoking, well-enunciated presentation! As I listened I became poignantly aware of the countless times that I had bought the single story: hook, line and sinker, and by so doing had unwittingly contributed to my warped perceptions and disenchantment. Perhaps by embracing the content of Ms Adichie's 'story' I too might enjoy the 'intended consequence' of an imagination stirred and likewise be opened up to new worlds of endless possibilities.
Beautiful speach... brave and honest person....i like her ideas that challege the dominant narrative of former and present imperilist mindset.... i wish she visits occupied lands around the world and gives hope and confidence to those who can be just like her
@katrinabadina0 I don't think I agree with you on that point either. How are we going to prevent little boys and girls from becoming serial killers, child molesters, rapists, etc if we do NOT take the time to understand the story of (likely) hurt and pain that led them into that life.
@bboysfan1995 Correction: 54 (June 29, 2011). Some people will never open up. . .She was very interesting and she articulated herself really well. Each time I sought to turn the vid off, I changed my mind to continue to listen. . . of course now I have to bring up the obvious, . . . . she was lovely fine!!!!! :D
I'm sorry how in the hell is it possible to "dislike" this? What a phenomenal TED talk. Probably my favorite one to date. She's is so articulate and brings up a beyond crucial point. I am so guilty of buying into ONE flat story of so many different kinds of people. More diverse stories really can change the world drastically.
I've seen this video about 5 times now-- at different times over the last year-- and every time I watch it I still am moved by her words. What an incredibly beautiful and intelligent woman.
"The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete."
Very Powerful, truth indeed. Until people know who they are, they can never appreciate life to the fullest and live to their full potential and thus realize we are ONE as a whole.
love the video - I try to watch for the single story.
comments so disturbing, just when I was starting to feel good.
nansearenae 1 day ago
The problem is... her rich middle class family is the exception in Nigeria and Africa in general. Sure, when wealthy Africans are sent abroad to study and are met with stupid questions it must annoy them. But the reason all we see on tv is poor Africans is because most of them are poor.
soundbeans 5 days ago
Such an amazing speech! Really eye-opening for the world.
dwitt1126 6 days ago
I've believed for many years that our stories make us who we are, what we believe, what we hope and dream, and how we know the world -- until we begin to acknowledge, then overcome our own limitations. Those stories we first learned, then began to become. I once wrote this in a play, via one character to his long lost love after she disagrees saying: "Stories don't make up people -- people make up stories!" He responds, "But can you? Don't they?" Great lesson, magical story!
hereticchpn 1 week ago
The guy at 18:34 hahahaha
Timmyvirus111 1 week ago
@Timmyvirus111 OH FUCK IT'S SO CRINGE WORTHY !!!!
soundbeans 5 days ago
am proud to be african
delight469 1 week ago
@delight469 nigger
chozmo0809 6 days ago
@chozmo0809 And you are ignorant.
dwitt1126 6 days ago
@dwitt1126 still a nigger
chozmo0809 5 days ago
@dwitt1126 dont feed the trolls, they are obviously so fucked up on the inside tht they have to take their anger towards the internet
djnat619 4 days ago
@lover90210 the "confines" of her race?
itsomerandomguy 1 week ago
Awesome
marshmutiso 2 weeks ago
If only more Africans believed in themselves as this woman does.
akawireify 2 weeks ago 2
I didn't think the world was full of wizards after i read Harry Potter, Did i?
mhsueh2 3 weeks ago
I can soooo relate to this. I come from a middle-class Indian family. What I read in my English school books was so different from me. What I heard about poor Indian families was shockingly untrue (remember Slumdog Millionaire?)
The western perspective of India was so disturbing. It was so elephants/maharajas/snakecharmers. Now the west has two stories about India, the second being outsourcing/bollywood. Still so far from the truth. Maybe Nigeria and India are similar to each other.
dhawal1 4 weeks ago 3
@dhawal1 i have cousins that are indian
alexsremixes 3 weeks ago
What if her roommate knew that Nigeria was a success story just because it withstood pressures from the west to divide and conquer it politically to get at its resources and is one of the few African countries to do so.
crudhousefull 1 month ago in playlist More videos from TEDtalksDirector
This is excellant! I love her perspective and poise. She sounds like she'll be a great storyteller.
opaluni 1 month ago
A.m.a.zing !
ngengagate 1 month ago
Will the people who dislike this AMAZING speech on the stupidity of stereotyping please explain your position?
Msincognito007 1 month ago
Comment removed
Msincognito007 1 month ago
Hey people, you can like Chimimanda's official fan page on facebook now! :D
bittersweetlie 1 month ago
great and very inspiring only she could get it so right
orangeroom2tv 1 month ago
you are seriously such an inspiration to me
ZazSE23 1 month ago
Ngozi is person who is very dear to my heart. My favorite of her work is "Half of a yellow sun"
walon79 1 month ago
Wish more POC understood the single story. So many times i have conversations with my people about why we shouldn't look at Latinas & Asians in stereotypical ways. Such hard conversations because they take the shyt they see on the news or the one bad interaction on the bus, that single story as the story for a whole people.
wildberryskittle 1 month ago
I was shown this vid in a training!! its so powerful, they should force everyone to watch this!! great work
TheQuietStorm25 1 month ago
Very powerful talk!
mrmorocco18 2 months ago
Hieroglyphics Literature:
The relationship between the environment and the mind is like an orchestrated band where the environment is the director that orchestrates the musical notes that are ought to play. Each microcosmic environment direct their own band, the notes that are being played are from the minds, but the combination of all these notes form the symphony of the universal orchestra that makes the world revolve in a harmonious way. peoplebreeze com
PeopleBreeze 2 months ago
She is an amazing speaker. <3
CHEEKS843 2 months ago
I was shown this during my teacher training. It has had a significant effect on my outlook on life.
candistarem 2 months ago
Superb storytelling.
MaddenHere 2 months ago
OMGOSH... she couldn't have put that any better. That was absolutely brilliant - and she definitely gives hope to millions of people who want to become authors just like her. :)
Chickaruka 2 months ago
Hieroglyphics Literature:
The relationship between the environment and the mind is like an orchestrated band where the environment is the director that orchestrates the musical notes that are ought to play. Each microcosmic environment direct their own band, the notes that are being played are from the minds, but the combination of all these notes form the symphony of the universal orchestra that makes the world revolve in a harmonious way.
PeopleBreeze 2 months ago
There's no single story about any place, anywhere, anything. Many thanks for this masterpiece.
ScoreCard001 2 months ago
And the single story applies for every country and every human being. I loved it!
Let's take the time to learn more stories of the same, other wise will be missing a lot!
thomasy1000 2 months ago
Chimamanda Adichie, you just opened my eyes to a beautiful way of understanding the world and I love it! Thanks for your eloquent explanation x
WAgurl87 2 months ago
Beautiful and so true. Every writer has to aspire to tell a bit of truth like this. More power ^^
leikem28 2 months ago
I had to watch this for my sociology class. Man this is informational and eye opening. I'm cutting back on my prejudice ways and beliefs of the "single" story. I want paradise.
bg546 2 months ago
great...a restatement of Aldous Huxley, if we do not travel, we risk misjudging all others...!!!
TheOjijo 2 months ago
The single story keeps happens to many around us including ourselves on a basis.Informative and challenging in the way we treat ones neighbour
Macdad222 2 months ago
That is a great story you've just told us@ Chimamanda and how very true do we hear and spread a single story or bluntly put false story. Good talk!
ayoawejoseph 2 months ago
Nice I really love it, never get ur self satisfied with half story get the other part of the story to make it a full story
jucaxito 2 months ago
This is a wonderfully articulated and well researched speech...Chimamanda is always my icon...HEY, SORRY FOR THOSE 58 PEOPLE THAT "DISLIKE" THIS,...THEY SHOWED US THE LEVEL OF THEIR COMPUTER LITERACY.... THEY THOUGHT THE "DISLIKE" BUTTON WAS FOR "DOWNLOAD"....
ojombo4all 2 months ago
@ojombo4all :You're funny ...lol..
omoibile 2 months ago
well done...keep representing the fatherland......
wusiwale 3 months ago
Thanks, Chimamanda. You're doing Nigeria proud
taganew 3 months ago 3
Your commentaries are very timely ! I am glad you had your particular set of experiences in life and boldly present your point of view. Ultimately you will help a good portion of the people of the earth to see a new picture and change their paradigms.
wisdomtrail 3 months ago
Technically, she's African-American, because I think she has American citizenship.
MaritaValdez 3 months ago
@MaritaValdez : You are wrong, she is still a nigerian as of last year and I doubt she will be american maybe seek for a dual nationalty tho for bureaucracy and for convinience
omoibile 3 months ago
@MaritaValdez oh please..she is AFRICAN...lets not go into the african-american thing,technically or not.in a talk she gave this year,she spoke about approaching immigration officers with her nigerian passport and how most of them had an unfriendly thing to say cos of her passport and the numerous visas it contained.she spends half her time in the US and other half in Nigeria..it doesnt change her citizenship
xty070 1 month ago
what are you saying please...she's African so???
pdguru81 1 month ago in playlist Favorite videos
true words. To many people give into the single story and, never do their research to find a better/brighter side.
XxRAINISM 3 months ago
I'v got a English reflection paper due tomorrow. Any thoughts of what I can state in it?
gooldharry 3 months ago
@gooldharry hi Harry!! guess who! XP
Lalalandmika 3 months ago
@Lalalandmika
Who is this?
gooldharry 3 months ago
now I HAVE to read one of you novels! I loved it :)
886rosa 3 months ago
I agree with you 150 % and I am glad that you are broadening the story to include more people.
wisdomtrail 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
As someone from the "3rd World" myself, I strongly identify with what Ms Adichie says - this talk should be compulsory listening for every politician and every citizen- and especially every child - living in the 3rd world. Knowing the single story what it does and where it comes from will enable us to break the pattern. Thank you Ms Adichie.
magintob 3 months ago
As someone from the "3rd World" myself, I strongly identify with what Ms Adichie says - this talk should be compulsory listening for every politician and every citizen- and especially every child - living in the 3rd world. Knowing the single story what it does and where it comes from will enable us to break the pattern. Thank you Ms Adichie.
magintob 3 months ago
like if your watching because of Ms. Sparrow
mzzstepper 3 months ago
I'm so glad Mr. Staruch made us watch this!
raokiki6 4 months ago
I LOVE U MR. STARUCH
JoosMan928 4 months ago
i have seen this video numerous times now. i just love it. she is just such a beautiful woman! mentally, physically and verbally, everything about her is just amazing!
423xox830 4 months ago
I am watching because of mr. Staurch
ultravioletgoddess 4 months ago
like if your here because of mr. staurch
redbullr2d2 4 months ago 2
she has an attractive accent
redbullr2d2 4 months ago
amazing!
enjoyingweekends 4 months ago
I travel a lot so that I can experience the culture of other regions, I love to know and understand life other than that in which I was brought up, less boring for a start, but enlightening in the whole.
Sarge084 4 months ago
my english professor forced me to watch this :(
0UvaProductionz0 4 months ago
i watched this in one of my classes today. inspiring.
LizziF019 4 months ago 3
Awesome presentation. How many times do we all buy into the single or official story?
reallyitsmylifeok 4 months ago
Great video, the world is shrinking and now people are finally learning the truth that the media hides, distorts and often deceives us all to maintain control of us all.
bornkool 4 months ago 24
Personally speaking, I've been around many people who will say that I speak well or that I speak very proper. My thinking was it was because I was black (not saying they are racist but probably prejudice).
I'm saying that said people were surprised that I didn't speak in an accent or ebonics (I'm West African). Not that speaking in ebonics is bad.
HOWEVER, in this case. It was a very well said speech and if the commentor meant it that way, then by all means I agree. It was articulate.
Quemin 4 months ago
I missed it. What did her mother do for a job?
mp3holder94 4 months ago
@mp3holder94 I know I'm late lol, but her mother was an administrator probably for the University her father was a Professor for.
Ethiopianraver 1 month ago
I was trying to understand the insult. To all who disagreed with Quemin's comment, it would probably be important to understand that the comment that was made can speak to people of different perspectives. It's okay to disagree, while understanding that someone else watching the video would actually feel compelled to say 'very articulate' or 'well enunciated' story, out of that person's ignorant perspective of a black or African. And people are careful about not reinforcing those perspectives.
purpleabstract 4 months ago
@quemin: oh boy you should listen to this talk again...apparantly you didn't get it!
wyberood 4 months ago
I vacillated to click this video, thinking "o great, another African women talking about black pride again". I will admit that I wasn't expecting a very intellectual or awe-inspiring talk from this women.
5 minutes in I felt tears running down my face in awe.
This women took any judgemental bullshit I was thinking before, and turned it into something else. It is truly one of the greatest enlightenments I've ever had.
slayerkid0196 5 months ago 17
Chimamanda, pls come to Kenya!!!!
jakotuol02 5 months ago
You are Great!
Robbskunky 5 months ago
I feel so proud being a Nigerian.
doncrocodile 5 months ago
Beautiful!!!
Anpelady 5 months ago
OMG she's SO freakin' pretty! i hate her! grrrrrr (like her really) but gahhhh gorgeousness!
cutegirlff 5 months ago 4
To Chimamanda Adichie I watched your video & I was really impressed of your ideas& I think that we need to think this way in Africa so we can now about ourselves & our neighbors also we can make other people see us. I hope i can read your book soon. Thanks again
From Egypt
Intessar
intessar1 5 months ago
It seems that 56 people didn't have the CHANCE to go Africa, neither in an actual trip nor an imaginative one!
Almuttaqia 5 months ago 2
Fantastic and thought provoking! As a high school English teacher, I will be showing this to my students. This will make for a great class discussion and writing assignment.
Cynlou1973 5 months ago
Listening to this reminded me of another writers speech in Ted Talks, a woman writer from Turkey, Elif Şafak. She was talking about a similar subject and it was also a very inspiring speech, to whomever this was interesting i would also recommend to watch her speech too.
On an additional note, I think its mostly American people who are being fed the seterotypes. They are constantly presented with stereotypes disguised as information and its a struggle to wade through it to reach real info..
babelfsh66 5 months ago
I have never heard my entire thoughts said so eloquently. The single story affects all of us, including myself, for I know that I have been brainwashed by the single story thrown around by Films, books and the News. Thank you Chimamanda Adichie for having the balls to stand up and wake us up.
Serine575 6 months ago
Classic
drtanyi2009 6 months ago
I cannot understand why 55 people dislike this? What is there NOT to like about it? We as a people need to learn how to accept the truth (recognise the logs in our eyes) especially when it is laid done so humbly and without judgement or malice. Well done Ms Adichie - very well done !!
hrban1 6 months ago 39
@hrban1 Well said, i totally agree.
ShadowHawk4219 6 months ago
@hrban1 What a beautiful, culturally disarming speech. I agree, what's not to love; and better, what's not to learn...
jfortier25 2 months ago
@hrban1 It seems not to matter what youtube clip one watches there are always dislikes. Often they are comments about things not directly related to the content of the clip, like the person's clothing, hair, posture, etc. When it is about the content, the comment is still not really on point. That's my observation.
karvictho 2 months ago
I am glad to have somebody represent my country so well.
MsTOlofi 6 months ago 4
Very impressive........................
Ifatokunawolola 6 months ago
Wouldn't this be a fine addition to the curriculum of all our 16yo school students, all our police recruits, all our social services bureaucrats and our mass media presenters
57mcph 6 months ago 4
@57mcph Indeed it should, it should be mandatory.
ShadowHawk4219 6 months ago
Respect!!!!
thnx for saying the truth....
ministeresther 6 months ago
I have recently read Chimamanda book The Thing Around Your Neck and found the book surreal. The book speaks about stories many people choose to ignore or except.
missbola1994 7 months ago
I can totally relate to what shes saying. I'm a Nigerian currently studying in Germany and most Germans i've come across find it hard to believe that i've spent my whole life in Nigeria, Because according to them i'm too refined to be an African. Let's all stay away from the single story!!
borjie85 7 months ago
When I was 24 and visiting Spain, I met a German girl and told here I was from Mexico. When she saw my white skin and common western clothes, I had her to compulsively reply "but you aren't brown, and where is your hat?" I could not believe that she actually mean what she said, and to later discover the same story to repeat several times in almost every country that I have visited so far. Media deceives.
SophosVII 7 months ago
She's fantastic! Not everyone who writes well can verbally engage people in a quality fashion.
Teraneo 7 months ago 5
thoughtful words
kaylashandy 7 months ago
she is so right. Many people define Africans as always poor and not help-able. well that is very wrong. where you come from should not only define who you are.
missbola1994 7 months ago 2
@missbola1994 Have you read her work? It is very well done. :)
LicoriceLain 7 months ago
how amazing is this!!
Purplestarso 7 months ago
This talk is simply amazing!
02010748 8 months ago
Yes i wonder why people think of Africa as a country rather than a continent. I personally think it's mere ignorance
02010748 8 months ago
@02010748 I have to tell seemingly, educated Americans and Brits, that Africa is a continent and then they look at me as if I've said something strange to them. I was even asked once what language was spoken in Africa. I responded that the entire place spoke Mexican (Get the pun)!
Serine575 6 months ago 2
Simply wonferful. Makes me feel proud being an African
twansi 8 months ago
Beautiful girl, beautiful story very nicely expressed.
vintagethings1 8 months ago
A good job!
EfunaMUSA 8 months ago
A good job I must concede,
EfunaMUSA 8 months ago
A liberated human being indeed!
from the golden land,
my continent of my beloved,
from my world's of world,
tell them the story of my paradise,
tell them my wise!
tell them! my wise!
Rundaasaa
Oromobiyya 8 months ago
wonderfull speech......
venivettivici 8 months ago
Half the yellow sun-Biafra. A very good Igbo woman indeed
Nnfefe 8 months ago
What a fantastic speaker...simple, moving brilliant!
swagmaj 8 months ago
What a great speech from a wonderful storyteller. Thank you Chimamanda Adichie for sharing your experience and wisdom with us.
JJBrownAuthor 8 months ago
Very Inspiring... Even if most times i try not to have a single story about people and things, its funny how experiences, the media or just one sided observation causes me to unknowingly form and inadvertently believe in a single story. Its wonderful to have a beautiful reminder like this. Shes truly an inspiration.
seigha827 8 months ago
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seigha827 8 months ago
y would anyone dislike this?:(
MrStayFarKnow 8 months ago
great stuff! really very inspirational.I am an African but kinda have a single story about other African countries!
erateto 8 months ago
Good rep 4 Naija. It is well....
-Val
valscostuff 8 months ago
Chimamanda tells us logic and does so in such a loving style we listen and learn, that is rare in this time of quickie living ..... felt good , like a comfy hug
konagal 8 months ago
truth in the booth!
rapidkid11 8 months ago
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paigeyamariahtha 8 months ago
I hope you all realize when you say 'very articulate' or that this story is 'well enunciated' is insulting. Its basically insinuating that because she is black (or african) that she would automatically not speak well.
Its condescending even though I know it is supposed to be a compliment
Quemin 8 months ago 43
@Quemin Being 'very articulate' is something that anyone might aspire to. I see no more condescension in such a compliment than I would in such positive descriptors as talented or gorgeous.
pasparpascal 5 months ago
@Quemin it isn't insulting to say someone is articulate, I don't think I would be able to speak this well in front of a crowd of people. It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with race but just being impressed with the talk itself.
madweeee 4 months ago
@Quemin I can't agree. If it would be a white man or woman telling the same story, I might still say 'very articulate' or 'well enunciated'; because giving a speech like that requires a lot of speaking abilities, wether you're white or black... But otherwise I can imagine some people are only surprised of the speaking abilities of a black women, but not of a white man... wich is a pitty.
djomme 4 months ago 2
@Quemin I hope you realize that saying something is articulate when it is articulate is nothing but a simple compliment as it is more of a description of the speech itself and not a racial slur. If a person said, "Wow she was articulate for a black girl" then it is a slure but as such just calling it articualte is perfecly fine. It is the same as say telling a chef that their food tasted good or telling fashion designer you like their sense of style.
Kenneth1238 4 months ago 2
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doctordoak2 4 months ago
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@Quemin all those commenters demonstrate the same "patronizing well-meaning pity" as the American roommate in the story.
doctordoak2 4 months ago
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ReginaSceleris 4 months ago
@Quemin
What are you talking about? Condescending? Why Can't it just be a compliment? why does it have to insinuate anything? I say she is very articulate and this speech was very well presented not because I think that African American's can't do this normally, I say this because the Average person can't do this normally. She is very exceptional beyond the confines of her race.
lover90210 4 months ago
@lover90210 Chimamanda Adichie is not African American. She is Nigerian.
MyOwnWoman 3 months ago 13
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jenita39 8 months ago
great stuff!! xxxxx love this woman!!
temwani121 9 months ago
So beautiful and eloquent!
evageline01 9 months ago
Great speech!
TREASUREDVISIONER 9 months ago
She's brilliant. Everyone has a story to tell.
prettikitti 9 months ago
A brave, thought-provoking, well-enunciated presentation! As I listened I became poignantly aware of the countless times that I had bought the single story: hook, line and sinker, and by so doing had unwittingly contributed to my warped perceptions and disenchantment. Perhaps by embracing the content of Ms Adichie's 'story' I too might enjoy the 'intended consequence' of an imagination stirred and likewise be opened up to new worlds of endless possibilities.
emmhcee 9 months ago 2
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emmhcee 9 months ago
WOW ...thank you for reminding us of the beauty that is diversity!
cryl54 9 months ago
Now I understand the power of one story
Feelinpop 9 months ago
Beautiful speach... brave and honest person....i like her ideas that challege the dominant narrative of former and present imperilist mindset.... i wish she visits occupied lands around the world and gives hope and confidence to those who can be just like her
Naqshab 9 months ago
i am having dinner with her today ( group dinner)
masstintin 9 months ago
@katrinabadina0 I don't think I agree with you on that point either. How are we going to prevent little boys and girls from becoming serial killers, child molesters, rapists, etc if we do NOT take the time to understand the story of (likely) hurt and pain that led them into that life.
monkie24 9 months ago 5
This is one of the most beautiful videos ive seen here on YouTube! FANTASTIC! I vote this video to go VIRAL! ~ Thank you for posting<3
polisticplus 9 months ago
This is an excellent video and would just like to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
NEastAfrican 10 months ago
Oh my God, this was absolutely awesome!
JGT318 10 months ago
wow. i loved that.....that was very powerful and deep
kitaboo151989 10 months ago
this is true
skr0cks 10 months ago
what a tool
qwerty52196 10 months ago
simply great!
camaralamin 10 months ago
Amazing! I can really feel the wonder and beauty of Chimamanda's personality. Such a wonderful person.
marlonsuniverse 10 months ago
She is beautiful
reesybelle 10 months ago 9
the media loves to stereotype all ppls. she makes a very interesting point.
MySkiesAreBlue24 10 months ago 5
51 dislikes on this reflective speech on being open minded? Wow
bboysfan1995 10 months ago 74
@bboysfan1995 Correction: 54 (June 29, 2011). Some people will never open up. . .She was very interesting and she articulated herself really well. Each time I sought to turn the vid off, I changed my mind to continue to listen. . . of course now I have to bring up the obvious, . . . . she was lovely fine!!!!! :D
woodie62 7 months ago
@bboysfan1995 - but that is such a small fraction of the thousands of likes. it takes all kinds to make a world!
nita2ongee 4 months ago
I'm sorry how in the hell is it possible to "dislike" this? What a phenomenal TED talk. Probably my favorite one to date. She's is so articulate and brings up a beyond crucial point. I am so guilty of buying into ONE flat story of so many different kinds of people. More diverse stories really can change the world drastically.
SkiptotheLou1991 10 months ago 4
I've seen this video about 5 times now-- at different times over the last year-- and every time I watch it I still am moved by her words. What an incredibly beautiful and intelligent woman.
"The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete."
brownsound85 10 months ago 7
that is what i call very articulate; go girl.
waffiki 11 months ago
Beautiful....
I LOVe IT!!!!
maurice990 11 months ago
@unknowndiary
hahaha hey jia
TheDweezy13 11 months ago
My english teacher brought me here.
unknowndiary 11 months ago 2
@unknowndiary same.
imposterAJ 11 months ago
She speak the truth everybody has to comply with it.
We are all need to have multiple stories before we make our conclusion. GOD bless her to more orator than this
TheSongambele 11 months ago
she is amazing!
darkstrikerd 11 months ago
I'm soo wowed by her God-given gift; she is a brilliant orator :)
01choicelover 11 months ago
So frighteningly true :)
iamthegame09 11 months ago
Latin bridals here **busizz4me.info**
apranakumudu 1 year ago
Mhm I like her- Chimamanda is beautiful.
jstera1127 1 year ago
Mhm I like her- Chimamanda is beautifull.
jstera1127 1 year ago
Amazing, incredible and every word is truth! Everyone should see this and learn from it!
micksvid 1 year ago
Very Powerful, truth indeed. Until people know who they are, they can never appreciate life to the fullest and live to their full potential and thus realize we are ONE as a whole.
truthegreat 1 year ago 2