Research Paper On Chimamanda Adichie

Skolnik (2016) defines ethnocentrism as those who study cultures other than their own and view them only through how they see their own society, thus judging much of what they see to be without. Novelist, Chimamanda Adichie, illustrates this concept in her Ted conference saying that Americans view Africa as a sole country that is impoverished and where the people are fighting endlessly against poverty, hunger, and AIDs (TEDTalks, 2009). Another example Adichie gives is from her childhood, where her parents hired a helping man whose family was very poor. Her mother would send left over food with this man so he could take it back to his family. Adichie saw the man and his family as very poor and this was the only view she had. One day, Adichie and her mother went to the man’s home and Adichie was very surprised to find that the family had a beautiful woven basket. It had been impossible for Adichie to see that the poor man’s family could have such nice items. Adichie’s view only allowed her to see the man’s family as poor and nothing else, this hid the true story of the family (TEDTalks, 2009). This judgmental attitude led to a critical misunderstanding of the

poor family.
Essentialized versions of culture or stereotyping, is defined as socially shared set of beliefs about traits that are characteristic to members of a social group (Herbst, 2015).

Stereotyping classifies social groups such as sex, race, or religion which are believed to have a set of characteristics that is given to all members of that group (Herbst, 2015). TEDTalks (2009) explains authentic cultural voice and warns if we hear only a single story about a person or counrty, we risk a critical misunderstanding. The single story creates stereotypes and these are incomplete. Adichie’s roommate had some stereotypical views of African people. The roommate was surprised that Adichie could speak English so well, listened to the latest hit songs of the year, and didn’t live on the floor of a shack growing

up.
Thomson (2007) defines American exceptionalism as the idea that the United States has a unique, relatively equal society and culture, based upon ideas of liberty, individualism, and populism. Perceived exceptionalism has led many Americans to believe they have a better culture to others around the world (Thomson, 2007). Let’s save Africa! – Gone wrong video, demonstrates American exceptionalism in that an outsider volunteer comes to Africa and wants to help the very poor children living there (SAIH Norway, 2013). This video and The Africa for Norway – New charity sing out now! video are exaggerations of how other people view the African people – as sad people in need of dire help and saving (SAIH Norway, 2012). The woman’s attitude in the video shows that she feels very sorry for them and pity’s the African people. I get a sense that the volunteer believes she is far better off then Africans and through helping them she will make herself feel better. The video shows that other people view Africans only one way – poor. There is poverty in Africa, but it is not right to take away their dignity.