SOC 160 Reflection Essay: Understanding China beyonda Single Story
In her TED talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” Nigerian author Chimamanda NgoziAdichie (2009)explains how the media often “create a single story, show a people as one thing.”Adichie arguesthat “the single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete,”robbing people of their dignity and making our recognition for equal humanity difficult. Adichie believes thatstories matter, but the fact is that we often operate in our daily livesfrom the perspective of hearing and knowing a single story — about a people, a place, or a culture. As an outsider looking into Chinese society, how have you understood China as a single story? Do you have any preconceivedconclusions?In this assignment, you are required to write anintrospective, first-person narrativeessay on your reactions, feelings, and actions about whether and how this class helped you understand China beyond a single story.
Structure:The essay should contain the following sections:
- Introduction: reflective background and context
The first part of your essay should briefly provide background and context about the “single stories” you encountered. Specifically, think and answer the following questions by narrating the experiences and highlighting the settings:
- What are“singlestories”you have believed about China, Chinese people, or Chinese culture, prior to taking this course?
- Where do these stories come from, andwho tell these stories?
You should provide enough information for the readers to understand what the single story (stories) was (were), where you heard about it (them), and how you believed about it (them). This section should expressthe central messageof your essayin terms of what you want the readers to know, believe, or understand after they finish reading your essay.
