Module 1: A Preview
“They call themselves ignorant and say the “professor” is the one who has knowledge and to whom they should listen…. Almost never do they realize that they, too, “know things” they have learned in their relations with the world and with other [people].” (Freire, 1996, p. 93)
Overview
A Message From Shaheen
One of the goals of the Guidebook is to help you develop thinking tools with which you can critically examine disability and ableism. In this first module, you will learn about single stories, a literary thinking tool that will prove useful as we begin exploring disability.
Musical Moment
|
Component |
Estimated Time to Complete |
|---|---|
|
Engage |
10-20 mins |
|
Reflect |
1 hour |
|
Chat |
1-2 hours |
|
Self-Assess |
10-15 mins |
Engage
|
Source |
Summary |
Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
|
The Danger of a Single Story By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie |
In this TED Talk, Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explains how single stories, generalizations, and assumptions impact how we view ourselves and others. |
12-19 mins |
Reflect
Use the prompts below as a jumping off point. Do not let the prompts confine your reflection.
- Single stories about you: Recall a time when someone thought of you (or someone you care about) as a single story. How did it make you feel? Who had the power to tell a single story about people like you (or the person you care about)?
- Single stories that you have been told: What single stories have you been told and internalized about people who are different from you? Who had the power to tell you those single stories?
Chat
Use the prompts below as a jumping off point for a conversation with others in your class or community.
- Single stories that you have been told: How can you resist the single stories you have been told about people who are different from you?
- Disability: What is the single story about disability in our community (e.g., school, country)?
Self-Assess
- What idea/concept from this module was the CLEAREST to you?
- What idea/concept from this module was the MUDDIEST to you?
- Rate your knowledge on the ideas discussed in this module
- Expert
- Mastered
- Competent
- Still Developing
- Undeveloped
FAQ
Q1: How can we avoid the “single story?”
A1: One approach you can try is to notice, pause, and explore. Notice the single stories in your world, in your words, and in your mind. Then pause and take time to explore other stories about that group of people. Be sure to explore a variety of on and offline sources, particularly those created by people from the social group you are trying to learn more about. As you progress through the Guidebook you will have an opportunity to explore other stories about disabled people, many of which were created by disabled people.
