DB 3.1 Ideas about Authentic Voice: Submission Preview

Augustus Johnson

Several items caught my attention while reading the transcript "The Danger of a Single Story" by Chimamana Ngozi Adichie. The first item is how a single story can effect a child's early development, the second is how a single story can effect social outcomes and finally I would like to discuss the problem of limited access to multiple stories.

I was struck by Ms. Adichie's comment that she only read British and American children books as a child growing up in Nigeria. As a result when she began write her characters were white, blue eyed, ate apples and played in the snow. She had no image of self in the written form and only identified with images supplied in British and American literature. A study performed by child psychologist and University of Chicago professor Margaret Beale Spencer entitled 'White and black children bias toward lighter skin' highlighted issue of self-esteem among black and white children. In the study black and white children were shown black and white dolls and asked to pick the prettiest doll. Almost universally the white doll was picked by both white and black children. A definite lack of esteem amount black children. The question is, would exposure to more than story improve the results? It would be interesting to see the after children receive positive and/or negative exposure to both dolls.

The second topic, could a single voice effect social outcomes such as beauty contests and political elections. In 1988, during the Bush, Dukakis presidential campaign, an uproar occurred over Dukakis' furlough of convicted murderer Willie Horton. Horton was released on a weekend furlough program designed to rehabilitate inmates. Horton did not return and subsequently raped and killed woman. Horton's furlough was a major Republican focal point during the campaign and was a key factor in Dukakis' defeat. Lost in the shuffle was the fact that furlough program was signed into law by Republican Governor Francis W. Sargent. Currently, Donald Trump is employing the single voice tactic in his rhetoric over illegal immigration from Mexico. Why isn't he employing the same tactic with illegal immigrants from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Caribbeans. Is he going to put up walls in our ports, airports and along the Canadian border? What about the positive contributions illegal immigrants have made to American society and do the positives outweigh the negatives?

Finally, I wondered about the college the author attended when she met her roommate. Turns out for undergraduate studies she attended Drexel and got her BA from Eastern Connecticut University. She got graduate degrees from John Hopkins and Yale. My bet, it was at Eastern Connecticut University where she encountered her naïve roommate. The reason I bring this up is that most major colleges have a pretty substantial international student representation. At these larger schools she would have more access to different stories.

In conclusion, 'Many stories matter'. Quote from Ms. Adichie.

Several items caught my attention while reading the transcript "The Danger of a Single Story" by Chimamana Ngozi Adichie. The first item is how a single story can effect a child's early development, the second is how a single story can effect social outcomes and finally I would like to discuss the problem of limited access to multiple stories.
   I was struck by Ms. Adichie's comment that she only read British and American children books as a child growing up in Nigeria.  As a result when she began write her characters were white, blue eyed, ate apples and played in the snow. She had no image of self in the written form and only identified with images supplied in British and American literature. A study performed by child psychologist and University of Chicago professor Margaret Beale Spencer entitled 'White and black children bias toward lighter skin' highlighted issue of self-esteem among black and white children. In the study black and white children were shown black and white dolls and asked to pick the prettiest doll. Almost universally the white doll was picked by both white and black children. A definite lack of esteem amount black children. The question is, would exposure to more than story improve the results? It would be interesting to see the after children receive positive and/or negative exposure to both dolls.
   The second topic, could a single voice effect social outcomes such as beauty contests and political elections. In 1988, during the Bush, Dukakis presidential campaign, an uproar occurred over Dukakis' furlough of convicted murderer Willie Horton. Horton was released on a weekend furlough program designed to rehabilitate inmates. Horton did not return and subsequently raped and killed woman. Horton's furlough was a major Republican focal point during the campaign and was a key factor in Dukakis' defeat. Lost in the shuffle was the fact that furlough program was signed into law by Republican Governor Francis W. Sargent. Currently, Donald Trump is employing the single voice tactic in his rhetoric over illegal immigration from Mexico. Why isn't he employing the same tactic with illegal immigrants from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Caribbeans. Is he going to put up walls in our ports, airports and along the Canadian border? What about the positive contributions illegal immigrants have made to American society and do the positives outweigh the negatives?
   Finally, I wondered about the college the author attended when she met her roommate. Turns out for undergraduate studies she attended Drexel and got her BA from Eastern Connecticut University. She got graduate degrees from John Hopkins and Yale. My bet, it was at Eastern Connecticut University where she encountered her naïve roommate. The reason I bring this up is that most major colleges have a pretty substantial international student representation. At these larger schools she would have more access to different stories.
   In conclusion, 'Many stories matter'. Quote from Ms. Adichie.

Augustus Johnson

Way to tie in Ms. Adichie transcripts with Mary Pipher's "What You Alone Can Say". I've got both articles sitting side by side. Ms. Adichie mention that early on her writing reflected the American and British children books she was reading. Once she was exposed to writers Chinua Acebe and Camara Laye she began to write what she alone could only say. Good job!!!

Augustus Johnson

It's great to see a father take a interest in his children literary growth. Most dads only expose their children to sports. There is a whole big world out there. There is music, art, nature and so much more out there a child needs to have a well balanced life. Kudo's to you.