Commentary: “Ted Talks Chimamanda Adichie; The Danger of a Single Story.”

15/11/2017

From the analysis of viewing “Chimamanda Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story” Adichie’s thesis identifies the concerns of a stereotypical mindset created by a single-story understanding and the dangers surrounding it. Adichie raised these concerns due to the fact that how opinionated based views holds back the progression of people within the society and forms an unbalanced story of identity. She then related her own experiences of this and draws the enlightenment that we all fall victim somehow to a single-story mindset. Origins of prejudice, xenophobia and de-culturation of identity all stemmed from colonialism. An example of this took place during early colonial times when indigenous groups were victims of acculturation by European powers, where their religious traditions were considered demonic and labeled as “witchcraft” and were forced by their lives to convert to Christianity. These one-sided opinionated views took root and are still publicized today by the use of mass media platforms where Indigenous people are painted red and stereotyped as violent, demonized, cannibalistic people without the actual knowledge and now holds critical misunderstanding of their culture itself. This draws reference to Adichies’ statement where there are all different perspectives to a single story and in reference, to a single culture. Misconceptions of American labels also plays a roll where it’s believed that within Caribbean countries, the societies are slow paced and laid-back and contains a single ethnicity type (African) but upon arrival the realization of industrious and multicultural societies. In conclusion the influence of a single story hinders and separates people from expectations and reality. The barricades of this narrow-minded conception must be broken in the faith of progression and development of society.

21/11/2017

The hegemony, androcentric system of social justice throughout the years surrounded about the beliefs, norms, expectations and representations of Caribbean hegemonic masculinity domestically and economically has been standardized where the root of these gender constructs where formed by proclamation and influence of Victorian ideologies of the acceptance of masculinity and femininity. Hegemonic masculinity creates a code of conduct where it emphasizes the patriarchy triangle of men above woman and men above men based on race, ethnicity, age, external appearance and sexuality.

These gender roles were formed historically throughout colonial times where praised heroes were predominantly male and popular scripts or literature created and preserved were written by the male gender. Different perspectives of the patriarchy structure have been formed for example, when westernized Christianity was introduced, the perspective based on the rightness of the Bible into Caribbean culture taught that woman should be in subjection and of obedience to their male counterparts and males to be the protector and head of the household. Women were placed in oppressive roles where female empowerment and gender equity was looked down upon. In relation to the pro-feminist perspective of Caribbean families, it was theorized that development within the family structure is held back due to the hegemonic ideals of manhood and to counteract this by fluidity of both genders. Although Caribbean society has evolved, the ideologic structure has remined the same which adds tension to the male social roles. An example of this is shown where boys raised in female-headed households and schools damages their mindset. In conclusion, gender inequality is still persistent in Caribbean societies where the segregation of women take place economically, educational gaps in secondary schools based on gender and gender based violence that are serious constraints of the social and economic growth of Caribbean Societies.   

Provide a critical analysis of ONE of the following topics using the information from the course:

25/11/2014

Located in the Caribbean Sea, found in the subdivision of the Greater Antilles. The divided island of Haiti and Dominican Republic - where 66% of the island is dominated and Haiti being the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, living together on one island, but living in worlds far apart. Considering the circumstances of the immigration system and the historic feud between two nations, it was concluded that the birth of such conflict was due to the misinterpretation of cultures and ethnocentrism, all arising from the xenophobic mindset, ideologic racial identity and social stratification between both nations. Due to language barriers – Spanish to Haitian Creole- social classes based on ethnic composition – Where a stigma is formed against darker skin hues– and xenophobic religious barricades – where Dominica Republic is predominately Catholic, and Haiti’s Voodoo Culture - deemed as witchcraft - all played a part of the adding tension. The rate of immigration from Haiti to Dominica peeked after economic and political corruption and bribery by their leaders crippling their economic status and exploitation by the French holding them back from progressing. The devastation left by Hurricane Matthew was no help where infrastructure, crops and resources were scarce, and famine and diseases were rampant. As a form of refuge, Haitians abandoned their soil to the neighboring territory sorting out a better life and future. Nevertheless, as Dominicans are the first to help their neighbors, the underlying feeling of reconquest by the Haitian immigrants are rambling in their thoughts as some Haitians refuse to abide to the laws of immigration, economic drop, overpopulation within the society, lack of health services, unemployment and diseases -such as cholera-  are all arising problems. Therefore, their actions are not only used to protect their sovereignty, but decades of brainwashing dictators infiltrated the minds of the citizens where they can’t function as one entity.

 

·         Give your personal reflection on your learning this semester. 

 

In the beginning, one question that always resonated with me was, “Who am I?” a question that was left unanswered until now. Upon this learning semester for the course FOUN 1001, critical thinking was praised, and a safe opinionated environment was formed where different perspectives could manifest and was welcomed with open arms. A greater appreciation and understanding of the society we live in and how the impacts and experiences faced throughout Caribbean history has shaped the mindset of my people. It taught me the origins of my culture and brought self-awareness towards the diversity of our people, music and culture. It opened my mental consciousness to understand the legacy of the fight for freedom, liberation and human rights and equality by our ancestors. The fight against slavery, inferiority, colonialism and oppression whilst bringing together our neighboring countries and drawing relations to the past struggle we all endured the conquered together. Thus, intern allowing me identification of myself and allowing the unification of different students across the Caribbean through the Blackboard Collaborate software. Nevertheless, the course has intrigued my thoughts and positivity changed my outlook on my appreciation of my diverse mixture of culture, race and religion and the historical impacts and how I came to be. 

·         Brown, Annie. "The Danger Of A Single Story". Lanetwork.Facinghistory.Org, 15/11/2017. http://lanetwork.facinghistory.org/the-danger-of-a-single-story-2/.

·         McLeod, Saul. "Social Identity Theory | Simply Psychology". Simplypsychology.Org, 15/11/2017. https://www.simplypsychology.org/social-identity-theory.html.

References -Objective 2 

·         "Africa: Gender Roles And Sexuality". Geography.Name, 21/11/2017. http://geography.name/gender-roles-and-sexuality/.

·         "Caribbean Overview". Www2.Dickinson.Edu, 21/11/2017. https://www2.dickinson.edu/departments/geol/disasterhomepage/sochomepage/GENDER/goodcaribbeanoverviewfinal.htm.

References – Objective 3

·         Stein, Allie. "Conflicts Between Haiti And The Dominican Republic Continue | Loquitur". Theloquitur.Com, 25/11/2017. http://www.theloquitur.com/conflicts-between-haiti-and-the-dominican-republic-continue/.

·         Hintzen, Amelia. "The Origins Of Anti-Haitian Sentiment In The Dominican Republic". NACLA, 25/11/2017. https://nacla.org/news/2015/07/14/origins-anti-haitian-sentiment-dominican-republic. 

·         Allmeling, Anne. "Haiti And The Dominican Republic: One Island, Two Worlds | Global Ideas | DW | 12.02.2013". DW.COM, 25/11/2017. http://www.dw.com/en/haiti-and-the-dominican-republic-one-island-two-worlds/a-16593022. 

·         Gibson, Carrie. "The Dominican Republic And Haiti: One Island Riven By An Unresolved Past | Carrie Gibson". The Guardian, 25/11/2017. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/07/dominican-republic-haiti-long-history-conflict. 

·         Brown, Annie. "The Danger Of A Single Story". Lanetwork.Facinghistory.Org, 15/11/2017. http://lanetwork.facinghistory.org/the-danger-of-a-single-story-2/.

·         McLeod, Saul. "Social Identity Theory | Simply Psychology". Simplypsychology.Org, 15/11/2017. https://www.simplypsychology.org/social-identity-theory.html.

References -Objective 2 

·         "Africa: Gender Roles And Sexuality". Geography.Name, 21/11/2017. http://geography.name/gender-roles-and-sexuality/.

·         "Caribbean Overview". Www2.Dickinson.Edu, 21/11/2017. https://www2.dickinson.edu/departments/geol/disasterhomepage/sochomepage/GENDER/goodcaribbeanoverviewfinal.htm.

References – Objective 3

·         Stein, Allie. "Conflicts Between Haiti And The Dominican Republic Continue | Loquitur". Theloquitur.Com, 25/11/2017. http://www.theloquitur.com/conflicts-between-haiti-and-the-dominican-republic-continue/.

·         Hintzen, Amelia. "The Origins Of Anti-Haitian Sentiment In The Dominican Republic". NACLA, 25/11/2017. https://nacla.org/news/2015/07/14/origins-anti-haitian-sentiment-dominican-republic. 

·         Allmeling, Anne. "Haiti And The Dominican Republic: One Island, Two Worlds | Global Ideas | DW | 12.02.2013". DW.COM, 25/11/2017. http://www.dw.com/en/haiti-and-the-dominican-republic-one-island-two-worlds/a-16593022. 

·         Gibson, Carrie. "The Dominican Republic And Haiti: One Island Riven By An Unresolved Past | Carrie Gibson". The Guardian, 25/11/2017. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/07/dominican-republic-haiti-long-history-conflict.