First of all, it's crucial to understand that characters' representations in literature are frequently modified to convey particular ideas rather than being entirely true. People may get stigmatized and "othered" as a result, appearing unusual or different. For instance, Wainana's "How to Write About Africa" parodies the way that stereotypes and basic themes about the continent are frequently applied to it. This may result in misunderstandings and a limited perception of what Africa is truly like.
More precisely, as "How to Write About Africa" makes clear, stories about Africa are frequently limited to one theme, such as poverty or conflict. The vast array of diverse facts and experiences that Africans face are overlooked by this oversimplification. Similarly, the satirical essay "Body Ritual Among the Nacirema" illustrates how language may be employed to create a false impression of a society. Though the article portrays them as a distinct, weird, and exotic culture, the "Nacirema" is actually the United States. Stereotypes can be formed and reinforced by these kinds of representations, which can hinder interpersonal comprehension.
To elaborate further, Ngozi's "The Danger of a Single Story" discusses the limitations and negative effects of a single story. Those who are only familiar with one narrative about a certain group of individuals may form a limited perspective that falls short of capturing the diversity of human experience. This can result in bias and discrimination, and it is particularly risky when the narrative is negative. In a similar vein, Bart-Williams' "Change Your Channel" exhorts listeners to weigh all viewpoints and recognize the complexity in every circumstance. People can develop empathy for others and get over preconceptions because to this.
The short answer is that people's perceptions of others can be greatly influenced by language and representation. It's critical to recognize our presumptions and prejudices and to actively seek out opposing viewpoints in order to question them. By doing this, we can develop a more precise and sophisticated understanding of the environment we live in.