L Rautenbach, 41009916

Discovering how language is used to create identities and portrayals of people in literature has been an intriguing trip that has illuminated the ease with which stereotypes, eroticization, and false information can permeate our perspectives. My personal prejudices and presumptions have been forced to the surface as a result of reading books like Binyavanga Wainana's "How to Write About Africa," Horace Miner's "Body Ritual Among the Nacirema," and TEDTalks by Taiye Selasi Bart-Williams and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Wainana's satire has made me aware of how common and harmful it may be to depict Africa as a homogenous, foreign continent. It's evident from Miner's satirical depiction of American society in "Body Ritual Among the Nacirema" how readily we can misinterpret and misrepresent the customs of others. Ngozi and Bart-Williams' TEDTalks highlight the peril of sticking to one storyline and the necessity of a variety of storylines in order to prevent subjecting people to oversimplified, skewed portrayals. I've confronted my own stigmatizations and preconceptions through this investigation. Even though I consider myself to be inclusive and open-minded, I admit there have been times when I've let the one-sided narrative get the better of me. Positive stereotypes can be just as destructive as negative ones since they still confine people to a limited set of attributes. An example of this would be presuming someone's success based on their ethnicity or nationality. While uncomfortable, confronting these presumptions is essential. To combat the inclination to "other" those who are different from us, it is imperative that we actively question our deeply held views and look for new viewpoints. By recognizing and analyzing our prejudices, we can endeavor to build a more sympathetic and inclusive community where each person's experience is respected and given voice. The significance of language in influencing perceptions and the need to use it appropriately to foster empathy and understanding rather than reinforce prejudices and othering have been highlighted by this journey. Learning and unlearning is a lifelong process, yet it's vital for developing oneself and creating deep connections with other people.