The Danger of a Single Story: Taking Against Injustice

Life has been unpredictable, it is because of complex diversity, differences in culture and tradition, racial discriminations, gender acceptance, religion considerations and language barriers. These factors can alter the dimension the diversion and contribute to the danger of single story, however, on the other hand, there are points that can be taken on how to deal with the danger of single story, achieve the equality for gender and religion difference and determine the importance of taking a stand and letting go.

Adichie (2009) a Nigerian story teller indicated that there has been a danger brought by single story. During her younger years, she started to read British and American children’s books and become an early writer at the age of seven. Primarily, she was exposed to stories that the main characters, cultures and traditions were different from her place. As a child, they would always take the point of view of books and apply it in reality, wherein, in the reality, there is a big difference between the fantasy and real world. Usually, people will always have a one sided story based on the books, sayings from the elderly and any informations that are being passed from different generations. Moreover, a single story will allow a person to only have a certain perception that others know in general as well. Eventually, once you have encounter and see the real picture, that is the only time that you will see the inner beauty and real facts of a certain place. The principles, literatures and books will help the readers and citizens to have a basic knowledge and overview of a particular place but it would also make a big difference if you personally see and experience the entire story. In addition, the culture and economic power also can contribute in creation of single story. On the other hand, stories can also be used to empower, humanize and repair a broken dignity. At the end of her story, she implied that once the single story is rejected, people will start to realize that there is never a single story about any place and that moment will help to gain a kind of paradise.

Nowadays, the religion plays a major role in the society, on how people will those who have different religion from the others. Muslims have been experiencing a social discrimination and their safety in United States has never been ensured. Some Americans will always see those people as a terrorist and will commit harms toward them. The government itself, primarily the President also wanted to register American Muslims and ban Muslim immigrants and refugees from entering the country. Through this, it is inevitable that the hate has been very dominant. Mainly, with his action, the President showed support for the racial and religion discrimination, in which, the concerned people will have a different and difficult life in America. Suzanne Barakat experienced a hate crime towards her three family members. It was their neighbor committed the crime and said that it was only because of the parking issues but looking on the other side, the family member already noticed before the event, for months their neighbor has been harassing them by knocking on their door and occasionally brandishing his gun. Their neighbor has been associated with anti-religion activities, which were seen through his social media accounts. After all of the threats and speculation, the family stay civil and kept kind to their neighbor because they think that eventually, in time, he will accept and understand them as a muslim. Unfortunately, after being kind and doing nothing to their neighbor, still, his hatred outpoured and lead into a fatal violence. The family of victims seek for the justice, but it was evident that due to their religion, they found a had time to have one. They had good neighbors and friends who offered a hand to help even though some lost their job due to its support toward the equality of religion. This only indicated that in the World, there would always be some people who will never accept and be open certain changes, despite of modern changes. Hatred must be stopped and there should be a promotion of awareness that Muslims also are like others, they can be friends, sisters and brothers. Don’t let the past events, social stigma and rumors be a hinder to accept them in the society because they also contribute and makes an impact toward the society. (Barakat, 2016)

In life, there would always be a situation wherein you need to take a stand and when to let go. Taking a stand and learning to let go are both gestures that can benefit or harm others. Along with the story of Beckham, she emphasized the importance of duality, duality is a state of having two parts but not it diametrical opposition in a simultaneous existence and it is the ability to hold both things. She was mistakenly identified as a father of her niece and she managed to exhibit the state of duality, she didn’t brought her niece down and leave the place or speak to the clerk regarding his mistake, hence she continue what she is doing and did a lot of self-control. At the end of the day, the clerk apologized for her mistake and that was the time, when she realized that she is also capable of doing the duality. Individuals are unique in their own ways, complex and with swirls of contradiction. It is right not to judge people by their own physical means but also be careful in doing things so. Acceptance, respect and understanding are some few keys that will make you to take a stand and to let it go, however, the main aspect that need to be considered is always to think what is right and good. (Beckham, 2014)

In conclusion, it can be seen that the single story would cause danger from the certain stories that are only found from books, literatures and stories passed by different generations. It was clearly stated that once the single story is rejected, an individual can find a paradise. This can be achieved through learning new things, exploring the particular place and not only taking few things as a basis, it is more efficient if you itself see and experience the reality. The importance of stopping hate would ensure a massive benefit to everyone, most especially to those individuals who are experiencing racial and religion discriminations, learn to accept and respect to those differences because mainly we are all the same, we are people. Hatred will only cause harm to others but not will benefit the diversity. That is why it is really important to stop the hate. Moreover, the state of duality will help the diversity to handle and adjust to complex situations. Individuals will be more efficient in determining to take a stand and let go though the consideration of benefits and harms that would happen. Generally, humanity will only want what is good for the diversity.

Reference:

1. The danger of a single story. (2009 July). Retrieved from: https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story/transcript
2. Islamophobia killed my brother. Let’s end the hate. (2016). Retrieved from: https://www.ted.com/talks/suzanne_barakat_islamophobia_killed_my_brother_let_s_end_the_hate/transcript#t-874115
3. When to take a stand-a and when to let it go. (2014 September). Retrieved from: https://www.ted.com/talk/ash_beckham_when_to_take_a_stand_and_when_to_let_it_go/transcript#t-914877