Reflection Paper on Adichie's Single Story & Volleyball History

This reflection paper delves into Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's perspective on 'The Danger of a Single Story,' examining the potential for misconceptions and discrimination arising from limited narratives. The author discusses Adichie's personal experiences, highlighting the impact of single-sided portrayals on perceptions and the importance of respecting diverse perspectives. The paper also explores the history of volleyball in Canada, tracing its origins and development through the YMCA and the Canadian Volleyball Association, emphasizing its popularity, inclusivity, and the growing emphasis on the sport in educational institutions and for disabled individuals. The essay underscores the need for comprehensive curricula and community support to foster a broader understanding of various cultures and promote the continued growth of volleyball.

Running head: REFLECTION PAPER
Reflection Paper
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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The Danger of The Single Story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Danger of The Single Story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie talks about the dangers
or the misconceptions that can be created by the reading of only one particular side of the
studies. Therefore it must be noted that there is often large scale discrimination between the
black skinned and the white skinned people (Ngozi Adichie, 2009). However as per the opinion
of the story teller that is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie the individuals right from their childhood
are taught only one aspect of the other side (Huang Hoon et al., 2019). It is this single side
reflection that gives rise to the concept of self and the other. In other words there is a feeling lf
disparity or misunderstanding among the people of the US or United Kingdom and the Africans
because it is the way in which they have been taught right from their childhood.
She narrates her experiences right from her childhood. I have been largely influenced by
the ideas and the opinions that have been reflected in this Tedtalk Episode. This is because I have
realized about the dangers of the wring ideas that are often created within the kinds of the
individuals by their family members, schools, Universities and the other extended family
members. She was taught by her mother in her childhood that their domestic help Fidey belongs
from a very poor family and so they must always try to help him and his family by sending the
food and clothes. Thus this was the only idea that she had portrayed in her mind about Fidey that
he was very poor. It was only after visiting his family once that she could be a beautifully made
basket. It was a hand-made basket and it was made by Fidey’s brother.
Thus it was then when she realized about the creativity and the other talent that can be
present within the poor people as well. Thus she draws this example to say that representing only
one single aspect of the studies can create a huge amount of disparity between the people. I have

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learned from this that we must never see anyone as inferior. We must always try to respect the
poor and he rich alike. There can be several qualities among the poor girls and boys. The only
thing that is lacking in their part is the support. Thus they often suffer from the lack of support
like the financial help and then
She also talks about her shocking experience when she went to the U.S for her higher
studies. She had an American roommate who was surprised to see her. She was surprised to see
that a girl from Nigeria can speak English so well. I have learned that the Nigerians are often
seen as inferior and as Tribal by the white skinned people. However this is not their fault as they
reflect those ideas that are actually inculcated within their minds from their childhood. Therefore
it is the responsibility of the Universities to include books that will not highlight only one single
aspect of the stories. In other words texts that show the talents of the black skin and the white
skin people must be used in the school curriculum.
Volleyball in Canada
The history of volleyball in Canada dates back to the period of 1900s. The Young Men’s
Christian Association (also known as YMCA) in Ottawa included started popularizing this sport
in their planned schedule in the beginning, it was only following them that this game started
becoming popular within the fames and the sports of the other countries. The sport Volleyball
started developing in Canada in the year 1953 with the formation of the Canadian Volleyball
Association was established. The association took great efforts in making the players motivated
and they were able to work towards the overall development of the sport.

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Volleyball is one of the most important games that are played in Canada. As per the
opinion of Chevrier et al. (2016) Volleyball is a very well known and popular game as it gives
equal space to both men and women. Both men and women in Canada have been able to play
Volleyball and take it as their one of their source of happiness and at times their profession as
well.
The scope and the popularity for the game that is Volleyball are increasing rapidly in
these days. MacDonald et al. (2018) has suggested in this similar contact that there are schools
and universities in Canada that give huge emphasis on the volleyball games they make sure that
their students both the male and the female students are being able to take up this sport as their
future profession.
Meeuwisse et al. (2017) has opined that Canada has also given a huge emphasis on the
development of the sport for the disabled people as well. The disabled people of Canada whom
were interested in Volleyball were also given the chance of fulfilling their dreams. This was done
by giving the right kind of training and development scope so that they can carry on pursing
playing the game and can also take part in many competitions with at the Local and the Global or
thee International levels. However this has really been a really tough job but the Government of
Canada took this very seriously and make sure that every citizen in their country is getting the
chance to learn and carry on pursuing playing this game.
They have also taken part in many games like the Olympic and have also been able to
win several names and also may other titles of fame which proves that this sport is being played
on a large scale and is being well accepted by many people of the country. On an International
basis the year 2004 saw the majority of interest from Canada, USA and Mexico. However with

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the arrival of many new games, the interest of people is changing and they often get deflected
from the games towards other activities like video games and mobile phones. Therefore it is the
duty of the Government and the community as a whole to make sure that they are being able to
provide all kinds of support to the game and take it to the golden and better bright future in the
coming days.

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References
Chevrier, J., Roy, M., Turcotte, S., Culver, D. M., & Cybulski, S. (2016). Skills trained by
coaches of Canadian male volleyball teams: A comparison with long-term athlete
development guidelines. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 11(3), 410-
421.
Huang Hoon, C., Mighty, J., Roxå, T., Deane Sorcinelli, M., & DiPietro, M. (2019). ‘The danger
of a single story:’a reflection on institutional change, voices, identities, power, and
outcomes. International Journal for Academic Development, 24(2), 97-108.
MacDonald, K. J., Palacios-Derflingher, L. M., Emery, C. A., & Meeuwisse, W. H. (2018). The
effect of injury definition and surveillance methodology on measures of injury
occurrence and burden in elite volleyball. International journal of sports medicine,
39(11), 860-866.
Meeuwisse, D. W., MacDonald, K., Meeuwisse, W. H., & Schneider, K. (2017). Concussion
incidence and mechanism among youth volleyball players. Br J Sports Med, 51(11), A62-
A63.
Ngozi Adichie, C. (2009). The danger of a single story. Available
from-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg

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