Stereotypes: The Creation of a Single Story Amongst the African and Cheerleading Communities

     All cheerleaders are dumb blondes that weigh less than 100 pounds and all African Americans are voiceless slaves. Today our world is plagued by inaccurate stereotypes that influence the way we view different social groups. Chinua Achebe, author of the novel Things Fall Apart, succeeds in presenting a more accurate explanation of the African Ibo people. Unlike the popular idea that Africans are just black shadows of disease and starvation, Achebedemonstrates how the Ibo people are a civilized society with deeply rooted values and a commitment to education.  Another group that is falsely stereotyped are cheerleaders, who are commonly referred to as the dumb airheads who wave their pom-poms on the sidelines. Steve Almasy, author of the article “Cheerleaders Prep for Hours in Search of 2 ½ Minutes ofPerfection,” dispels the single story of how cheerleaders are just ditzy blondes by explaininghow being an all-star cheerleader takes strength, stamina, and athleticism. Almasy interviewsWorld Champion coaches and athletes and questions them on their work ethic and trainingtechniques. Chinua Achebe and Steve Almasy both strive to eliminate the single story of the Africans and cheerleaders by demonstrating how they are intelligent, dedicated, and honored in their community.

​Chinua Achebe discredits the single story of the Africans by showing how they areeducated and well versed in their cultural environment. In introducing the Ibo people, Achebe says, “Among the Ibo the art of conversation is regarded very highly and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten” (Achebe 7). The Ibo challenge the stereotyped African by beinghighly educated and literate, where in some cultures they are viewed as uneducated and unmotivated. The Ibo converse in intuitive conversation, discussing advanced political and religious matters.. Achebe paints a clear picture of how the Ibo people defy the single story of African Americans by displaying their knowledge as well as their intellectual perspectives and ideas.

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Like Achebe, Steve Almasy puts in perspective the mental requirements and knowledge that anall-star cheerleader must posses in order to be successful in the sport.  Almasy speaks withWorld Champion coach Courtney Smith-Pope about her athletes who says, “The way they are able to maintain such a high level of accuracy in competition is because they don’t just do it when they are perfect, they do it when they are going to make a mistake, and they have to get through it anyway” (Almasy, “Cheerleaders Prep for Hours in Search of 2 ½ Minutes ofPerfection”). Smith-Pope reveals how these high level athletes must have the mental stability and intellect to push themselves to get better each and every day. Cheerleaders must always be mindful of their surroundings during their fast paced routines, conscious of where their bodies are when they are tumbling, and keenly aware of their flyers and partners body positions. Smith-Pope clearly shows how these athletes are not the dull-witted girls on the sidelines, such as Achebe shows how the Africans are not just ignorant slaves, but competitors with the knowledge and mentality of champions. Although very different, Achebe and Almasy both show how the Africans and cheerleaders share a complex system of knowledge and intellect in their respective cultures, despite the common stereotypes that impact these two communities.  

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Achebe demonstrates how the Africans resemble little of their stereotyped image of beingunproductive by showcasing their dedication and commitment to achieving purposeful goals and being industrious. In introducing the reader to Okonkwo, the protagonist of Things Fall Apart, Achebe says, “With a father like Unoka, Okonkwo did not have the start in life which many young men had. He neither inherited a barn nor a title, nor even a young wife. But in spite of these disadvantages, he had begun even in his father’s lifetime to lay the foundation of a prosperous future. It was slow and painful. But he threw himself into it like one possessed. And indeed he was possessed by the fear of his father’s contemptible life and shameful life” (Achebe 18). At a young age, Okonkwo dedicates himself to leading a prosperous life, despite the many obstacles that his father’s legacy leaves for him. Okonkwo is committed to creating a name for himself that is far stronger and more influential than what his father intended him to have. Okonkwo’s dedication and drive for success demonstrates how the Ibo people are not just pieces of property who lack control of their lives. Instead, they are real people who are dedicated to achieving important morals, values, and goals. Achebe succeeds in dispelling the stereotyped image of an African American by demonstrating Okonkwo’s will to succeed and demand for prosperity.

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Likewise, Steve Almasy displays how cheerleaders are dedicated and devoted, unlike their common portrayal as being passive and indifferent . In an interview with World Champion coachKelly Smith, Kelly describes her athletes as “Those kids that would be in the gym 23 hours of a 24 hour day if they could. It means that much to them” (Almasy). To be a champion, you have to act like a champion, which is exactly what these girls are doing. Their dedication to their craft, like that of Okonkwo’s to improving his reputation, shows the passion and desire these athletes have to succeed. These girls are in the gym more than ten hours a week, putting their elite skills to the test and their trust in the hands of their teammates. Where the stereotypical cheerleader is said to be “just there for fun”, Kelly Smith’s explanation of these athletes challenges all other assumptions and further abolishes the cruel single story of the cheerleader. Achebe and Almasy both enhance the complete view of these communities through explanation of their dedication and eagerness to succeed.   

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Lastly, Achebe illustrates the Africans intricate traditions and social standards to show how the Ibo people are honored in their community. Chinua Achebe says, “Okonkwo was clearly cut out for great things. He was still young but he had won fame as the greatest wrestler in the nine villages. He was a wealthy farmer and had two barns full of yams, and had just married his third wife. To crown it all he had taken two titles and had shown incredible prowess in two inter-tribal wars. And so although Okonkwo was still young, he was already one of the greatest men of his time” (Achebe 8). Okonkwo is a man of high esteem and dignity, whose pristine position in Umofia shows how the Ibo people live in a civilized society full of social standards and values that determine the rank of its population. Okonkwo’s pride in his crops and elite reputation demonstrates how the Ibo have a hierarchy system, with members like Okonkwo demanding respect and recognition from all members of the community. Achebe's description of the respected Okonkwo defies the single story of the African population as being voiceless property who lack respect from their peers.

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For those cheerleaders who are given the opportunity to participate in the country’s most elite competition, there is no greater honor. Like Achebe, Steve Almasy displays how cheerleaders are honored and respected in their community. In an interview with World Champion Mikayla Raleigh, Mikayla says, “The most prestigious event is the World Championships of All-StarCheerleading. It’s like the Olympics of cheerleading. There is just nothing that compares to the feeling of hitting a hard stunt or flipping through the air and then hearing the crowd roar when you hit it” (Almasy). Here, Mikayla describes the epitome of honor in the cheer world, similar to the honor of owning titles and yams in the village of Umofia. At the World Championships, cheerteams perform what they have dedicated their lives to in return for praise, celebration, and occasionally a gold metal. For those cheerleaders that have worked up to the elite level they are sought after for guidance and direction from those below them with less experience.  They aresimilar to a celebrity in the cheer world as it is highly respected to achieve the skills and expertise that they have. Mikayla denounces the single story of the cheerleader with her lively explanation of the World Championships and by showing how her and her teammates seek honor and approval from their fans and coaches.

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Ultimately, it is clear that stereotypes lack complexity and are inaccurate in providing a clear and thorough representation of certain populations. Steve Almasy and Chinua Achebe both strive to dispel the single story of the Africans and cheerleaders by displaying their intelligence, dedication, and honor in their communities By doing so, both authors display a side to the story that is otherwise not generally exposed. Imagine if this was always the case, where nobody made despicable assumptions solely based on their corrupt opinions. With this mindset, the worlds populations would be a lot more compassionate and understanding of those who may not have the same skin color or speak the same language as themselves. Furthermore, Chinua Achebe and Steve Almasy clearly disband the single story of the African Americans andcheerleaders, paving the way for a more thorough understanding and investigation into the lives of other commonly stereotyped figures.