Sometimes, it’s all too easy to fall silent. But when the discussion strays into issues of injustice, when we hesitate to voice our concerns for fear of conflict, or we silence the questions we are uncomfortable to hear, we lose sight of what’s most important: the power of speaking up.
It is precisely that strength of character and unapologetic commitment to equality that earned Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie worldwide recognition for her championship of feminism and human rights. From a young age, raised in a Nigerian Igbo family, Chimamanda loved literature and longed to share stories of real human connection. Her gift for writing flourished when she became involved with the Compass magazine at the University of Nigeria, and through channelling her own dreams and experiences into her work, Chimamanda was able to inspire countless people with her honesty and humour.
She doesn’t shy away from confronting the difficult questions. From her striking exploration of cultural differences and racism in ‘Americanah’, to her painfully honest reflection on losing her father in Notes on Grief, Chimamanda has always stayed true to her values and has used her voice to encourage deeper understanding. I was struck by her sincere passion during her famous speech ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ it was incredibly heartening to hear that her words sparked widespread interest and engagement from around the globe, illustrating the power of our voices. However, when it comes to fostering honest and compassionate debate, plurality of opinion is key. Chimamanda herself is a passionate advocate for free expression, and has been a vocal critic of the growing polarisation of debate in our current political climate. Her recent essay ‘It Is Obscene’ condemns the sanctimony of social media activism, and recounts Chimamanda’s own experience of being the victim of vicious harassment for her views on feminism.
It is troubling that, in the twenty-first century, women are still routinely targeted and censored for daring to talk about female-specific issues. However, I am truly in awe of Chimamanda’s courage and tenacity to stand her ground, arguing her beliefs with nuance, refusing to back down despite the cruel threats she received. Tragically, she is not the first Black woman to be vilified for the crime of holding strong and well-informed views. Racist and sexist stereotypes have historically been used to discredit the opinions of Black women, presenting their measured arguments as aggression. This bias is still prevalent today, and the disproportionate outrage levelled at women like Chimamanda Adichie (who is a life-long advocate for equal rights and opportunities) is terrifying.
Indeed, Chimamanda acknowledges the injustice in how the world treats different groups of people. When discussing issues of sex and identity, she explained that “If you’ve lived in the world as a man, with the privileges that the world accords men … it’s difficult for me to accept that then we can equate your experience with the experience of a woman who has lived from the beginning in the world as a woman, and who has not been accorded those privileges that men are.” This is a truly thought-provoking argument and reinforces the idea that we live in a society that still imposes regressive stereotypes upon different groups of people. Regardless of your own political beliefs, you would find it difficult to deny that Chimamanda expresses these ideas with genuine understanding and kindness.
It is her passion and conviction that I admire, and I would urge anyone who feels strongly about issues of race, sex, and identity to step back and listen to Chimamanda Adichie’s words. There is an undeniable courage with which she speaks, and we all need a little more courage if we want to truly drive forward change.
