Most Meaningful Takeaway

Throughout our class discussion we had discussed and talked about an interview with Chinua Achebe considered by many critics and teachers to be the most influential African writer of his generation. As in his interview many aspects regarding his life and perspectives had been laid out but one thing that had grabbed my attention throughout the interview was the ideology of having a single story. Through the interview I believe that Achebe was trying to interpret that if we hear a one single story about a person or a country, we may have been interpreting and risking the image and portrayal of anyone due to a confusion. As there are dangers to such stories being told, as there are instances in which a single story can create negative image “stereotypes” which lead to portray certain cultures in a close-minded stereotypical view leading to destroy a cultures mage. As I believe that he was trying to demonstrate that a person should be open-minded and accept to hear many perspectives so that he can formulate a judgment. Therefore he stresses on the importance of seeking different views in order to have a proper understanding of the situation. Therefore in my opinion Achebe was trying to introduce the ideal of having a “balance of stories” where everyone contributes to formulate the overall image of a community.