Chimamanda Adichie: The danger of a single story

We need to rebrand Africa by letting the world know the true face of Africa which is never shown on CNN, BBC, etc. In our own capacity, we must insert the patches of news concerning Africa/Nigeria omitted from the media by the European journalists. Thank you Chimamanda Adichie for speaking on our behalf

African stories are edited and packaged in London, Paris, Atlanta, etc. The copy that finally circulates African newsrooms is filtered and compiled by international news agencies like Reuters, Agence France Press (AFP), Associate Press (AP) CNN, BBC, VOA, etc.

Often times the story of Africa is told in the nagative, with some bit of distortions and colorations; the good sides - her dynamic cultures, rich history, hard-earned successes and important events and people - are relegated to the background.

Well what can I say very smart head good with your words, prity what more can one ask for i ask.

I grasped your point.
I think there is no time to waste with critising the west and their media. A section of Africans think it will be a grand idea for us to stop running ahead of ourselves by applauding and justify 'eloquent criticism' towards the west for covering important news or airing images showing signs of failure in our countries. The unspoken fear is that we are loosing our concept of responsibilty and instead instill paranoia in ourselves.

well, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and the world thrive on criticism. You have a point but that point is not congruent with what she is talking about here. She said it best, as well as most commentators here, to view the world from a single perspective is not only myopic it is what is called hemianopia. The corruption and all other issues in Africa and the rest of the world did not justify the depictions of the rest of the world as poor, wretched, sick, stupid, e.t.c. No one is

No one is "criticizing the west", the speech is about a campaign for true journalism "objective" report that is unambigous, i.e say the bad and the best about mexicans for example, not just the bad. Please, the west is not being attacked here. Africans will not be here if these countries are not great. Here in the west, we also have the bad, and it is still a continuous call for unbiased journalism here. The writer did not speak with hate, she speaks with passion and that is why we adore her.

...have you ever responded to a mosquito bite with a hammer?  Certainly that is what Chima did in her speech.
Anyway im impressed with her book-'half of the yellow sun' thought i havent read it; I took a sneak peek . I must read it.

As an "American" of many generations, identified as "African American" Adichie's observations and comments are relevant for all people, not only African.
It is sad that some respondents do not comprehend the truth and depth of her "story." This denial exists for me, I write "different" stories. When we are able to see ourselves, everywhere, as fragments of the "single story," the crime of separation can resolve into positive results. No blame, just an open view, beyond stereotypes.

That's it Gwen. You have said it. I am an Australian trying too to write 'different' stories and change the 'single story' the historians keep writing. I write what is there in the journals that has not been told. Stories of great Indigenous characters that I know will give back something the traditional owners can be proud of. It was not all massacres, smallpox and capitulation. The culture is still alive. Their voices echo still. Their wisdom will help guide us to care for the earth.