Each and every individual has something that they have been taught from a very young age , but mine will be from my old age and from the experience i had from my journey of manhood and how the Xhosa culture taught me about being a man 

I firstly learnt that in this life each and every person will someday have responsibilities as an individual and in my case i would have to build a family and create an environment for my family because a man is not a real man without a wife and a family . How you represent yourself is also a huge factor in our lives which basically means that how you treat yourself and the people around you determines what type of person you are and i was taught that i could never call myself a man to my elders or the people that raised because i will always remain a child to them .

We were also encouraged to try to fix the mistakes that were done or are still being done by other man and give women the respect they deserve in order to bring back our dignity . I was also taught the different ways and methods that a person my age should do when amongst elders and as i grow these very elders are still teaching me rituals and how ceremonies should be handled but according to my age .

Therefore i was taught everything that the elders felt that i should know and they specified that i should be willing to learn things from other people because what i know will never be enough for other people and myself . 

To reflect on my own stereotypes and stigmatizations, I turned to the parodic examples in Wainana’s "How to Write About Africa," Miner’s "Body Ritual Among the Nacirema," and the TED Talks by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Sierra Leonean writer, Mabinty Bart-Williams. These works challenge readers to confront and deconstruct their biases.

Binyavanga Wainana's satirical essay exposes how Western literature often portrays Africa through a reductive lens, reinforcing stereotypes of the continent as monolithic and backward. Similarly, Miner’s ethnographic satire on the "Nacirema" culture cleverly reveals the absurdity of viewing other cultures as bizarre or primitive. Both works force readers to recognize the ways in which language can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and create a sense of "otherness."

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED Talk, "The Danger of a Single Story," emphasizes the power of narrative in shaping perceptions. She warns that a single story, often shaped by those in power, can lead to incomplete and damaging stereotypes. Bart-Williams, in her TED Talk "Change Your Channel," argues for a more nuanced and accurate portrayal of African countries, one that goes beyond the poverty and conflict often highlighted by Western media.

Reflecting on these works, I realized how my own perceptions have been influenced by dominant narratives. Growing up, I often internalized stereotypes about different cultures based on limited and skewed information. For instance, I viewed Africa primarily as a land of poverty and conflict, a perception shaped by the news and literature I consumed. These assumptions created a psychological distance between "us" and "them," fostering a sense of superiority and misunderstanding.

This reflection has been eye-opening. I now understand the importance of seeking diverse perspectives and challenging the simplistic narratives that contribute to othering. By acknowledging and addressing my own biases, I can move towards a more empathetic and inclusive worldview. It's crucial to remember that every culture has its complexities and should be represented with respect and nuance.