First let’s define what is meant by a single story; a single story is a story that depicts a place or persons in only one way. This means that only one perspective of that place or persons is told, leading to which leads to misconceptions of an entire group of people or location in the world. In school I experienced learning through a lot of single stories, most of them related to the indigenous peoples. In school the truths that mattered were that of western culture or of the majority. All of the single stories that resulted in biases against an entire region or an entire people. Of course these biases usually put these individuals in a negative light.

Knowing now that these “single stories” exist it is easy for me to take them with a grain of salt and know that one truth is not the truth for everyone. Everyone has their own story and are not to be defined by one single story.

My personal biases are few and far between though I do know they still exist. Society and my schooling has put them out there, so of course they do to some extent affect how I think. Knowing this makes it easier for me to challenge and look past these biases. I will continue to be sure to not have a preconceived view of my students, or anyone for that matter before, I am able to get to know who they really are. When setting up my classroom I will carefully chose the books and resources for the classroom and be sure to include a wide variety of cultures, peoples, and views. I want all students to see themselves in the literature I present so each and every one of them know they are welcome, that they matter, and that they belong.

Adichie, C. (2009). The Danger of a Single Story. TED Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story/up-next?language=en

Kumashiro, K. (2004). Chapter 7: Examples from English Literature. Against Common Sense: Teaching and Learning Toward Social Justice. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/480506.Against_Common_Sense