A521.2.3.RB_DellElceCamila

A521.2.3.RB – Danger of Stories

            Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a novel and storywriter inspired by Nigerian history and tragedies all but forgotten by recent generations of westerners. Her TED video speech provides feedback on what the public, you, and me buy into when media is involved. In other words, the wrong true we accept when media channels the story. When people are told that something or someone is one thing, it is just a matter of how many times you listen to the same story, and you will start believing it. “What this demonstrates, I think, is how impressionable and vulnerable we are in the face of story, particularly as children” (Adichie, 2009). Stephen Denning provides the perfect quote example by Jonathan Swift, “It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of what he was never reason into” (2011, p. 59). Adichie challenges the audience into thinking outside the box, and going beyond what the unreasonable norm is in America.

            Her presentation delivered a huge message across the world and to whoever watches the video. Ms. Adichie’s background is that of a conventional middle-class West African family, who unlike a lot of us believe, had a normal life full of support and education. Her passion for reading and writing brought her to America where she faced numerous challenges in the hands of ignorance from others. While reflecting on her outrageous story, it is easy to think that some people may find themselves identify with the story, and therefore, loose tract of what the presenter is trying to say. But I think, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie assessed that probability and made unique attempt into keeping the spectators follow the story line with her by giving real, authentic information. At no time, was I lost while listening to her speech. Unlike Matthew McKay, Martha Davis, and Patrick Fanning (2009) believe, I did not experienced any of the listening blocks: comparing, mind reading, rehearsing, filtering, judging, dreaming, identifying, advising, sparring, being right, derailing, or placating.

            The message perceived was down to the point. I was able to listen with awareness. McKay, Davis, and Fanning suggest that there are two sides to listening with awareness:

One is to compare what’s being said to your own knowledge of history, people, and the way things are. You do this without judgment, simply making note of how a communication fits with known facts. The second way you listen with awareness is to hear and observe congruence. Does the person’s tone of voice, emphasis, facial expression, and posture fit the content of his or her communication? (2009, p. 22).

            In addition, although she had an accent when she talked, her pronunciation and feel for the story made her understandable. She did lack hand gesture and maybe some visuals aids in the background, but her communications skills were impressive. She truly demonstrated who she was, where she came from, and what she wanted from her audience. The author D. Joel Whalen and Tina M. Ricca (2007) explain the importance of communicating the meaning of the message. And by saying “meaning,” they mean “what you meant: your ideas, your passion, the goodness of your heard, and the impact of what you say on your listeners” (p. 16). The entire presentation, she passionately introduced everyone to see what she sees and the way she has been treated. She was able to transmit how she felt through her talk.

            In conclusion, the message she intended to give was to understand that there is really no single story to anything. Unfortunately, we all fail to educate ourselves with better facts from better sources and believe anything we are told. We lack cultural education and must continue seek for it in order to succeed. In the last minutes of her speech, she suggested that, “ when we reject the single story, when we realize that there is never a single story about any place, we regain a kind of paradise” (Adichie, 2009). Her last phrase meant so much in so little, and she is right. “Remember, successful communication begins with your desire to deliver messages you’ve mastered and have a passion to deliver” (Whalen & Ricca, 2007, p. 19).  

References

Adichie, C. (2009). The danger of a single story. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story

Denning, S. (2011). The leader's guide to storytelling: Mastering the art and discipline of business narrative. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass

McKay, M., Davis, M., & Fanning, P. (2009). Messages to communication skills book (3^rd ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.

Whalen, D. & Ricca, T. (2007). The professional communication toolkit. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications.