SR: Postcolonial Studies: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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I am Kavita Chauhan, a student of sem 3 M.A. department of English m.k.b.u.

Sunday Ready Blog :  SR: Postcolonial Studies: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This blog is part of the Sunday reading task assigned by Dilip Sir. It will explore and discuss the ideas presented in the videos by Chimamanda Adichie.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, born on September 15, 1977, is a renowned Nigerian author known for her novels, short stories, and nonfiction that delve into the complexities of identity. 

Her notable works include 

*Purple Hibiscus* (2003)

 *Half of a Yellow Sun* (2006)

 *Americanah* (2013)

*The Thing Around Your Neck* (2009)

 *We Should All Be Feminists* (2014)

In 2008, Adichie received the prestigious MacArthur Genius Grant. The Times Literary Supplement has recognized her as "the most prominent" among a new wave of acclaimed young anglophone authors who are successfully drawing a new generation of readers to African literature. 

Her latest book, *Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions*, was released in March 2017. 

Discussing the Importance of Storytelling and Literature: 

I found this video particularly engaging because Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie addresses several issues that I had not previously considered.

Adichie reflects on her childhood, where she was an avid reader of novels featuring weather, apples, foreign characters, and other elements unrelated to her own experiences. It was only later that she realized how different her environment was from those depicted in literature.

In Ngugi wa Thiong'o's work, *Decolonizing the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature*, he discusses the importance of rejecting the colonizer’s language. Adichie, however, chose to write in English, embracing the language while also acknowledging its role in expressing her unique story and cultural context. This decision highlights her understanding of representation in literature—whether characters like her exist within literary narratives and the importance of diverse portrayals.

As a reader, I often see myself in literature but forget this fundamental reality. For instance, in *Waiting for Godot*, I identify with Vladimir's existential waiting, and in *Jude the Obscure*, Jude's struggles and eventual death resonate with me. Adichie shares an anecdote about her American roommate who assumed she could not speak fluent English due to her race, reflecting a stereotype that overlooks individual experiences. This mirrors how, in Indian society, we sometimes generalize about marginalized castes without recognizing their diverse backgrounds.

Adichie emphasizes the dangers of single stories that perpetuate stereotypes. She points out that such narratives have historically depicted Africans in a negative light, citing John Locke’s dehumanizing portrayal and Rudyard Kipling’s depiction of Africans as "half devil, half child." Similarly, Shakespeare’s *The Tempest* and Joseph Conrad’s *Heart of Darkness* portray African characters as wild and uncivilized.

Adichie also critiques the generalizations about immigrants in America, often focusing on those from Mexico, which are similarly problematic. She argues that the way stories are told—who tells them, how they are told, and from what perspective—matters significantly. The notion of a single story is incomplete, and Chimamanda Adichie underscores the importance of multiple perspectives to truly understand any individual or culture.

We Should All Be Feminists

In this video, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie highlights everyday situations that often go unnoticed. She discusses incidents such as a restaurant where a waiter might ignore a woman because he assumes she isn't the primary decision-maker or how a parking attendant thanks the man who accompanied a woman, assuming the man is the real source of financial support.

Adichie also points out how societal expectations impact women's experiences, like the assumption that women are less capable of managing responsibilities in schools or workplaces. While biological differences between genders are acknowledged, socialization often amplifies these differences. Wangari Maathai’s observation, “the higher you go, the fewer women there are,” resonates with Adichie, who describes feeling invisible when her contributions are overlooked.

The ongoing debate about how we raise boys and girls remains pertinent. Adichie critiques societal clichés, such as the expectation that "boys have to pay," arguing that financial responsibility should be based on individual earnings rather than gender. Jacques Derrida’s notion to “not naturalize what is not natural” supports this view.

A significant point Adichie makes is about the insecurity some men feel towards women’s success. She questions why a woman's achievements should be seen as a threat, highlighting how women often bear the brunt of sacrifices and are judged harshly for being independent or unmarried. The societal pressure for women to conform to traditional roles, even when they excel professionally, reflects a complex and often unjust view of marriage and success.

Adichie advocates for evaluating people based on their abilities, creativity, and interests rather than gender. She asserts that "culture does not make people, people make the culture," emphasizing our power to reshape societal attitudes toward gender. Her message, embodied in the title of her book, is clear: feminism is not defined by gender, but by a commitment to equality.

Discussing the Significance of Truth in the Post-Truth Era

In the video, Adichie passionately emphasized the critical role of truth in today's world. She advised, "make literature your religion," highlighting how institutions like Harvard, with their considerable influence, have a responsibility to uphold truth. This responsibility, she noted, comes with high expectations.

In an era overflowing with misinformation, Adichie asserted the need to steadfastly uphold the truth. She candidly admitted her unfamiliarity with Harvard, using it as a metaphor for elite, often inaccessible intellectualism, and urged for breaking down these barriers.

Furthermore, she stressed the value of experimentation and perseverance, rejecting traditional paths. According to Adichie, two key qualities—“self-doubt” and “self-belief”—are crucial. These qualities work together to support the pursuit of truth, challenge falsehoods, and maintain a firm stance on one's principles.

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Happy Learning ☘️