Deep dive on The Coming of John

PART ONE

 •     What is the danger of a single story according to Chimamande Adichie?

According to Chimamande Adiche, the danger of is single story is that it talks about one very general narrative/perspective which often leads to conclusions that aren't entierly accurate (stereotypes)

•    Discuss how what she calls “nkali” is part of the danger. What is the truth and problem of stereotypes in her words?

In Adichie's words, nkali is a noun that loosely translates to "to be greater than another." The basic principle of it is that stories are defined how they're told, who tells them, when they're told, or how many stories are told. Stories are dependent on power, and one slightly altered story told by the right person can lead towards the creation of certain stereotypes. The truth and problem of stereotypes and a single story is that "it robs people of dignity. It makes our recognition of equal humanity difficult."

•    What’s the most important idea you’ll take with you from this talk?

When learning about someone, it's important to collect a balance of stories. A story that covers only one perspective isn't terribly reliable and can lead you to make rather harsh assumptions.

PART TWO:

Read “Of the Coming of John” by W.E.B. DuBois in your class textbook, The Creative Composer. “Of the Coming of John” comes from W.E.B. DuBois’s seminal work, The Souls of Black Folks, originally published in 1903. The story is set during the era of Jim Crow in the South and features two main characters, one white (John Henderson) and one black (John Jones).
•    Compare and contrast the two lives featured in the short story.

Despite sharing a first name, the two main characters' lives are very different, especially in regards to education. John Henderson is given the opportunity to enjoy all the doors that are opened for him because of his race and social status. John Jones, on the other hand, is a black man that experiences quite a bit of trouble and outside doubt in his pursuit of education and teaching others. Even though they used to be playmates, race has become a dividing factor when it comes to both Johns' lives. In the end, John Jones was able to kill John Henderson just as easily as John Henderson was able to have John Jones thrown out of the concert hall.

•    Why do you think W.E.B. DuBois chose to write this as a fictional story rather than drawing upon a real life example?

Fiction gives you more creative liberties. It allowed DuBois to create a sharper contrast and really highlight the broader issue that he wanted his story to cover. Fiction also allows you to take a collection of real stories and mix them together to create something more meaningful.

•    Discuss the role of education in the life John Jones particularly. How does his education change how he sees his society and how he sees himself? Do you think that education, beyond preparing a student for a future career, can also change a person?

After becoming more aware of racial oppression, John Jones becomes rather bitter and more isolated from his community back home. He told his community of his social projects, but started a bit of a frenzy. Eventually, when asked by Jennie if everyone who studies ends up unhappy, John replies that they do. I think that education can really change an individual. It has the potential to really make or break your ability to make smarter choices, depending on what you take with you. The lessons you learn can really influence your broader outlook on the world and play a key role in the making of important decisions.

•    On a personal level, what connection do you draw between Chimamanda Achidie’s Ted Talk and the story told here?

The one big connection I can draw between the TED Talk and "Of the Coming of John" is the power of a single story. The clearest example of this is in the killing of white John. John Jones killed John Henderson because Henderson was a threat to Jennie. Jones killed as a means of defense, but the townsfolk most certainly didn't know that (not like they would've cared anyways). John Jones was lynched because people assumed the worst of him, just as they did throughout the story.

•  Consider what has changed in America since over a hundred years have passed since this story’s publication. Find the story of one person of color who was killed unjustly, either by police or by other forces in the community. Using research discover their story and tell us what you find out.

    A lot has changed in the U.S. we've been granted new freedoms, new technologies, and achieved great things. One of our greatest achievements (which is still a work in progress) is the granting of rights to minorities. Today, I'm able to say that I go to a very diverse school. Back then, that would've seemed like crazy talk. The thought of being able to mingle with other races seemed unthinkable back then because of how divided we were. Unfortunately, that division would result in some fairly heinous acts. 

    Medgar Evers was civil rights activist based in Mississippi. He worked as the state's field secretary for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored people (NAACP). When it came to pushing for civil rights, he was a very hard-working individual. On the night of June 12th 1963, he was returning home from a meeting with NAACP lawyers. As he got out of his car, he was sniped in the back by the white supremacist Byron De La Beckwith. Evers, mortally wounded, staggered a few feet before collapsing in front of his home, where he'd eventually be found by his wife and kids. He'd go on to die in the hospital from his injuries. Evers' assassination shocked the nation and was a turning point for the civil rights movement. His assassin was arrested and put on trial twice in 1964, but wouldn't be properly convicted until 1994.