The Danger of a Single Story

Children are very vulnerable and susceptible to books that they read at a young age. Books can shape their view of one person or even an entire country. A lot of children find themselves wanting to relate to their books but cannot since they do not see themselves in the characters (example: a young black girl cannot see herself in her book that takes place in London with a white main and side characters). Single stories can dangerously shape view points of other countries as well. Many Americans see Africa as a place of darkness, poorness, AIDs ridden, and helpless. Therefore they think that Africa can only be saved by white foreigners who go in to help them on mission trips. Showing people as one stereotype over and over again creates what you want them to be seen as. These stories rob people of their dignity and respect, it shows these people in their worst.

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