Reflective Blog: My Stereotypes and Stigmatizations: The Mathematics Problem.
 

 
I was able to learn about characterizing people through the manipulation of language by reading the novels and seeing the films that dealt with the topic; and this made me re-examine my views on this matter. Moreover, I was able to identify potential ways to contribute to the emergence of the “Otherness” phenomenon, such as the development of stereotypes and stigmatization through works, such as Binyavanga Wainana’s How to Write About Africa and Horace Miner’s Body Ritual Among the Nacirema and chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s and Chimamanda Bart-Williams’ TEDTalks.
 

 
I was even shocked at how much racial and stereotypical imagery was in my head when I read Wainana’s satirical piece that is exposing the stereotypes of Africa in the literature. Some of the descriptions that were shown by the authors of the text very often had a rather exaggerated and paternalistic nature offered readers to remember the criteria of how dangerous it is to give such a single narrative to extremely wide cultures and peoples.
 

 
Just like Miner’s study on the Nacirema culture where Miner focuses on this tribe that performs various practices in a way that ridicules the western civilization, I can also see that Miner’s study was my inspiration for challenging many things I take for granted. It is emphasized that everything is relative and that cultural diversity must always be viewed and understood in the diverse meaning and removed of personal biases.
 

 
While going through the TEDTalks of Ngozi Adichie and Bart-Williams, I was able to further elaborate and develop the concept of stereotypes and stigmatizations and their outcomes as the negative personal and social perceptions. The issues of the danger of a single story addressed in the book by Adichie made a good point about the power relationship within the story as well as importance of varied and diverse presentations in order to challenge stereotypes. Bart-William’s stance on the subject by discussing how media techniques are used to manipulate the narrative and create a way in which it can affect change has an important message to everyone, that the end of prejudice and discrimination requires our active participation.
 

 From these examples, I became aware that I as a person am not immune to falling into stereotypes and stigmatizations. This can be through thinking in believing in my unconscious or cultural biases that compel others to the extent of “the Other”. In the future I am going to be more conscious on self-censoring, be more skeptical/ ask difficult questions and seek out all forms of counternarrative to counteract the negative effects of stigmatization and stereotyping. With this deep reflection ability I desire to change the assumptions of others in order to become change agents in more aware and caring societies.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 4

16/05/2024

 Family & Community: The indispensable connection.
 

 
There is one dominant value in my people family and community value. My family taught me that the family is the main place for everyone and a place where a person can always rely on. Information is created with input and influence from extended family members and is perceived as crucial to some of our lives. Other individuals also influence the way we determine the values and standards of belonging to society as such.
 

 
This teaching allowed me to understand my place in the big chain called the humanity, and it explained my responsibility towards my family and the community. I am also very active in the more social relationships with relatives and neighbors, as I believe it is for the greater good of the people. In addition, I believe that efforts when combined are more effective than doing things individually.