Chimamanda Adichie
The danger of a single story
Chimamanda Adichie delivered this speech in 2009 to a crowd at the Ted Global 200- Conference in Oxford. 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. In this speech, Ms. Adichie tells how when she began writing she only told one story:
"I wrote exactly the kinds of stories I was reading: All my characters were white and blue-eyed, they played in the snow."
Reading this quote made me realize how crazy it is to think of a Nigerian with kinky black hair, brown eyes and brown skin feeling like it was necessary to write about the 'white world' that she knew nothing about. It saddens me that the only voice and point of view that she was exposed to was one that was not her own. It angers me to think that she people in books could not look like her. She thought that they only story settings acceptable HAD to be the ones found in the 'white world.'
Another quote that stuck out for me from Ms. Adichie’s was speech was when she talked about going to school and meeting her roommate. She said that her roommate had expectations of her that she had not ever considered. As she described this encounter she said:
"She asked if she could listen to what she called my “tribal music,” and was consequently very disappointed when I produced my tape of Mariah Carey."
I see how/understand why/agree with/ <Explain why this quote has power for you.>. It opens my eyes/makes me think/reminds me .. because this quote is saying that <Finish this sentence, then write three or four more explaining what this quote means to you.> Now keeping this in mind, <Ask your reader if they agree with you and/or your speaker>.
Ms. Adichie surprised/upset/calmed/placated me was when she describedThis surprised/upset/calmed/placated me becauseIt really shows:
“<Put a quote that goes on for more than one sentence here.>”
<Add more of your own thoughts about this topic.>
"I wrote exactly the kinds of stories I was reading: All my characters were white and blue-eyed, they played in the snow."
Reading this quote made me realize how crazy it is to think of a Nigerian with kinky black hair, brown eyes and brown skin feeling like it was necessary to write about the 'white world' that she knew nothing about. It saddens me that the only voice and point of view that she was exposed to was one that was not her own. It angers me to think that she people in books could not look like her. She thought that they only story settings acceptable HAD to be the ones found in the 'white world.'
Another quote that stuck out for me from Ms. Adichie’s was speech was when she talked about going to school and meeting her roommate. She said that her roommate had expectations of her that she had not ever considered. As she described this encounter she said:
"She asked if she could listen to what she called my “tribal music,” and was consequently very disappointed when I produced my tape of Mariah Carey."
I see how/understand why/agree with/ <Explain why this quote has power for you.>. It opens my eyes/makes me think/reminds me .. because this quote is saying that <Finish this sentence, then write three or four more explaining what this quote means to you.> Now keeping this in mind, <Ask your reader if they agree with you and/or your speaker>.
Ms. Adichie surprised/upset/calmed/placated me was when she describedThis surprised/upset/calmed/placated me becauseIt really shows:
“<Put a quote that goes on for more than one sentence here.>”
<Add more of your own thoughts about this topic.>
"Two Tales of India" an article from Upfront Magazine
New India = McDonald's
Old India = cows in the street
There is an economic disparity in India because this country has 2 basic sides: one side with uneducated, poorly paid country workers and another side with educated, moderately paid city workers. India was run by a caste system for many years but in 1950 caste discrimination became illegal and now things are changing. A caste system is a system of social classes. People are either born rich or poor. In India, many people are moving from the countrysides to the city in an attempt to get educated and make more money.
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 differences within their governments. India's democracy moves slower than China's authoritarian government. When China needs something done, it does it without having to vote and please the people.
According to President Obama, "In Asia and around the world, India is not simply emerging." He continued by saying, "India has emerged." To emerge as a global power means to grow economically and be open for foreign investments. India now has an educated job force so it can be used by other countries. It offers the rest of the world cheap technically trained workers. Why has India been growing over the past 20 years? 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 India's middle class has doubled 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 support. International companies have relocated to India because the workers are now trained, educated and work for less. Companies can save money while maintaining a satisfactory level of service.
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 differences within their governments. India's democracy moves slower than China's authoritarian government. When China needs something done, it does it without having to vote and please the people.
According to President Obama, "In Asia and around the world, India is not simply emerging." He continued by saying, "India has emerged." To emerge as a global power means to grow economically and be open for foreign investments. India now has an educated job force so it can be used by other countries. It offers the rest of the world cheap technically trained workers. Why has India been growing over the past 20 years? 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 India's middle class has doubled 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 support. International companies have relocated to India because the workers are now trained, educated and work for less. Companies can save money while maintaining a satisfactory level of service.
Support or refute: U.S. companies should find cheap sources of labor in countries like India, even if it means fewer jobs will be available for Americans in some industries.
I do not think that U.S. companies should find cheap labor in India. I feel that the U. S. should hire American workers whenever possible. I understand that India is a poor country on the rise BUT I also feel that Americans must support Americans.
A Dream Realized...???...
"I Have a Dream" is a speech delivered by Martin Luther King, Jr. on August 28, 1963. He gave this speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during a march on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. He spoke to more than 200,000 civil rights supporters and inspired them to demand and expect respect.
“One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.”
Reading these words made me think about how the slaves were kept locked and chained up. I like his play on words as he uses slave terms to describe the still slave like situation that Americans find themselves in hundreds of years later.
“One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.”
Reading these words made me think about how the slaves were kept locked and chained up. I like his play on words as he uses slave terms to describe the still slave like situation that Americans find themselves in hundreds of years later.
Teens using Tech
Students spend more than 7 hours a day using electronic media to entertain themselves, for a creative outlet, to research and connecting with their friends. Each day I spend about 2 hours a day texting, 1 hour on Twitter, .33 hours on Facebook, and about 3 hours a day web surfing. There are many times that my electronic use interferes with my life. There have been times when I have found myself supervising my daughter or at the stove with the laptop on my hip.
Cellphone and computer use can become a problem when you allow it to take up too much time. I know it’s a problem when I am at the stove or overseeing my daughter’s bath with a laptop on my lap. Some students can’t concentrate for long periods of time and cellphones and other devices support this bad habit of changing from one thing to another quickly. Electronic media allows for instant communication, music, research, etc. By using the computer and the internet students can learn research skills and communication skills.
Texting is only really useful for quick updates and real meaningful conversations. There can be no meaningful conversations through text messages. That is part of the problem that I see with my students, they do not often have many REAL conversations.
Our school has a no cellphone use policy. I have decided to break the rules and give my students a chance to use their cellphones in class. My fingers are crossed.
Cellphone and computer use can become a problem when you allow it to take up too much time. I know it’s a problem when I am at the stove or overseeing my daughter’s bath with a laptop on my lap. Some students can’t concentrate for long periods of time and cellphones and other devices support this bad habit of changing from one thing to another quickly. Electronic media allows for instant communication, music, research, etc. By using the computer and the internet students can learn research skills and communication skills.
Texting is only really useful for quick updates and real meaningful conversations. There can be no meaningful conversations through text messages. That is part of the problem that I see with my students, they do not often have many REAL conversations.
Our school has a no cellphone use policy. I have decided to break the rules and give my students a chance to use their cellphones in class. My fingers are crossed.
Art of Dissent
The images on this page comment on a range of topics, from the wars, the role advertisings, sweatshops, animal rights and the genetic modification of food. Some of the images were on display last month in a Los Angeles exhibit called “Subvertisements,” presented by the Center for the Study of Political Graphics (CSPG), which has an archive of 75,000 political posters from around the world. The artists use a variety of techniques to convey their messages. Some try to grab your attention by playing on familiar ads and logos; others use provocative images to force you to confront an issue head on.
More Art Dissent Pictures
- What is the event or issue that inspired the cartoon/picture?
- List the people and/or objects in the cartoon/picture/picture.
- Identify the specific artistic techniques used in the cartoon/picture (i.e., symbolism, analogy, exaggeration, labeling, and irony).
- List three things that you might infer from the cartoon/picture.
- Explain the message of the cartoon/picture.
- What special interest groups would agree/disagree with the cartoon/picture message? Why?
- What is the artist’s point of view (for or against) about the topic portrayed in the cartoon/picture? Give examples to support your interpretation.
- Is this cartoon/picture persuasive? Explain why or why not?
More Art Dissent Pictures
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