Talks by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Hello everyone!!!....I am coming with very interesting author belongs to Nigeria, Africa named Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie very radical thinker. Task assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad sir as the part of Sunday Reading.

                                         

Adichie is Novelist short-story writer and Non-fiction writer. Her way to highlight the contemporary social issues in a very creative and interesting way is unique, best known for her incredible works like….

Purple Hibiscus (2003) 

Novel sets in Post-colonial Nigeria, suffering from political instability and economic crisis. Also focused on themes like Domestic violence, Religion, family relations and Nature.

Americanah

It is a novel published in 2013 based on his personal experience. And won the 2013 National Book Critic Circle Award. The story about the Nigerian woman who immigrated to the U.S. for higher education. 

Half of a Yellow Sun (2006)

The book focused on the Biafran War also known as Nigerian Civil war fought between 1967 to 1970.

We should All be Feminist (2014)

It is book length essay by Adichie. It aims to give a definition of Feminism for the 21 century.

Adichie whose father is a professor and mother is in the service of administration. She started reading at the age of 4 and and at 7 she started writing in fragments and short-story on the basis of what she read in British and American short story. So how impressionistic we are, what we read or heard considered it as the real or truth or try to portray it in our work of art. So Adichie is the best example of it.

The Danger of the Single story

The first video serves as a poignant reminder of Pecola, the character from Toni Morrison's novel who fervently desires blue eyes, believing that people with fair skin and blue eyes are the epitome of beauty and happiness. Similarly, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's experience of migrating to the United States opened her eyes to her own skin color and the constructed concept of race. She astutely points out that in America, one must actively learn what it means to be black and even realize that innocuous things like watermelon can be seen as offensive. Adichie's powerful message in "The Danger of a Single Story" resonates deeply because relying on a single narrative about culture, people, countries, things, or places can be perilous. Many individuals adopt a singular perspective, considering it the ultimate truth, which can lead to misunderstandings. Adichie draws from her own life to illustrate this, recounting how she once held a singular view of British-American literature during her childhood and how, later on, she developed a one-dimensional perspective of Fide's family. When she arrived in the U.S., her roommate held a single narrative about African people, leading to a shocked reaction to Adichie's English fluency. Adichie highlights how society ingrains the habit of perceiving the world from a single vantage point from an early age, limiting our ability to see the world's multifaceted nature. What stands out about Adichie is her ability to find positivity in every situation. She acknowledges the profound influence of American and British literature on her, emphasizing how it taught her to imagine and write. However, she also praises Chinua Achebe's work for demonstrating that characters with chocolate skin can exist in literature, emphasizing her ability to see the bright side in every circumstance. In essence, the core message of the video is to encourage people to approach everything from various perspectives, ultimately enriching their understanding of the world.

We should all be feminists

In the second video featuring Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, she shares insightful and satirical ideas addressing the patriarchal nature of society. Adichie begins by acknowledging that the term "feminist" often carries negative connotations, implying that feminists hate men, bras, and even aspects of African culture. She points out the frustrating reality that men and society often fail to understand the challenges and experiences faced by women, which translates to "everything is fine." Adichie draws from her personal experiences and notes that when women share their struggles, they are often met with dismissive responses, such as the belief that it's normal for women to endure suffering. She questions the notion of women being "blessed with endurance" and whether they should continue to endure unnecessary hardships. The discussion extends to the workplace, where men hold more positions of power and receive higher pay for the same level of dedication and talent as women. Adichie underscores that in today's world, physical strength is not the primary requirement but attributes like creativity, innovation, and intelligence, which are not influenced by gender or hormones. Society's role in perpetuating gender inequality is a central theme. Adichie observes that society ingrains the belief that men deserve respect while women are relegated to a subordinate position. Boys are conditioned to be tough and unyielding, while girls are taught to shrink themselves and feel inferior, essentially emasculated. She critically examines the institution of marriage, suggesting that it often benefits men in a patriarchal society. Women can be treated as trophies or property within the confines of marriage. Adichie highlights the sacrifices expected from women in marriage, where they are often required to give up their careers, dreams, and hobbies. In essence, Adichie's message in this video is a call to challenge and dismantle the patriarchal norms that perpetuate gender inequality, emphasizing the importance of recognizing women's worth, aspirations, and agency in all aspects of life, including marriage and the workplace.

Gender stereotypes continue to persist in our society, creating hesitations for individuals who may be interested in activities or roles traditionally associated with the opposite gender. For instance, there's a common expectation that women should excel in traditionally feminine roles like cooking for the family, while the prestigious position of chef is often occupied by men. The praise of virginity in women remains a deeply ingrained societal value. Despite our evolution in many aspects, it's evident that these outdated ideas about gender roles and expectations have not evolved at the same pace.

In this world gender communication is difficult. The simple answer we get is it was and is meant to be like this. women are considered subordinate to men culture and culture keeps changing. People make culture, culture doesn't make people.

In 2018, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie delivered an impactful speech at Harvard University to the graduating class of 2018, sharing a profound message about the imperative of courageously embracing truth in an era characterized by post-truth sentiments. Her words resonated deeply, and here are some of the key ideas that stood out:

Adichie acknowledged the inherent difficulty in acknowledging our own lies and speaking the truth. She emphasized that truth should not be upheld merely as a matter of politeness but because it brings inner peace and a sense of moral alignment. Adichie poignantly expressed that often, we resort to lying due to a lack of the courage to confront and embrace the truth. She underscored the importance of remaining truthful not only to others but also to oneself, acknowledging that it can be challenging to confront our failures, vulnerabilities, and uncertainties, as well as admitting when we haven't given our best efforts.

Adichie highlighted the critical distinction between malice and mistake, urging people to consider the context and not disregard intent when interpreting the actions or words of others.

Whether one occupies a position of leadership or follows as part of a group, Adichie called upon individuals to prioritize truth, erring on the side of honesty. She encouraged living a life where human beings are at the center, valuing the richness of human experiences over abstract ideals. Adichie drew inspiration from literature, reminding us that it often portrays flawed characters, reflecting the imperfections inherent in all humans. She stressed that the pursuit of perfection is not necessary; rather, we should strive to be right and just. She emphasized the courage required to confront the obstacles that may hinder us from speaking the truth.

Adichie described the act of telling the truth as an act of courage itself, encouraging everyone to be courageous in their pursuit of honesty. She implored individuals not to silence themselves out of fear and to always be open to listening to different perspectives, regardless of the speaker's position or status.

Adichie advocated for the courage to admit when one doesn't possess knowledge on a particular topic. She suggested that if dissatisfaction with the status quo exists, it should be nurtured and channeled into efforts to bring about change. She emphasized that in life, nothing should be considered a waste of time; every experience contributes to personal growth. Adichie highlighted the importance of grappling with self-doubt and cultivating self-belief as essential aspects of one's journey.

In moments of failure, Adichie encouraged individuals to draw inspiration from the world of literature, where some writers achieved recognition early in their careers, while others were recognized as classics only later on. She celebrated the innovative and rule-breaking nature of experimental literature, underscoring its enduring relevance and impact.

In sum, Adichie's message to the Harvard graduates in 2018 was a call to live a life rooted in truth and courage, emphasizing that honesty, both with oneself and with others, is a vital component of personal and societal growth.

                         

                                    THANK YOU!!!