A talk with a Feminist.
CNA-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Guest
ME -Christta, Interviewer
ME;
My guest for today's show is a famous Nigerian writer, she has expressed
herself in short stories, novels and non-fiction. One of the best selling books
and my favourite book is called "DEAR IJEAWELE, or A FEMINIST
MANIFESTO IN FIFTEEN SUGGESTIONS" published in March 2017, had its
origins in a mail she wrote about how to raise her friend's daughter as a feminist.
Adichie had given a TEDx talk entitled "WE SHOULD ALL BE FEMINISTS". I
am grateful to meet the most inspired writer, who has influenced me.
Welcome, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
CNA;
Thank you!
ME;
I'm so excited to have you here, I've been a long fan of your thoughts and the
way you have conveyed them. I want to know about your name because I
always wonder, how did your parents in the 70's thought of this cool name?
CNA;
It's a long story, I named myself.
ME;
Interesting! Can you please share with us?
CNA;
Yes, it happened before I published my first novel. My name was Benghazi
Ngozi. In my primary school, I was Ngozi. It's the most common name in
Nigeria. Then I added Amanda during my confirmation in Catholicism, you
get a chance to choose your name when you get confirmed, so the priest
said it should be the name of a saint. I chose Amanda because I had read a
novel where there was a character named Amanda so I wanted the same
name as Amanda. In my secondary school, I was called Amanda. When I
was studying medicine I went to the US, five people had the name Amanda
there. I wanted to be unique so I called myself Amanda Ngozi. While I
published my first book I went to my brother's house in England. I thought I
got my name Chimamanda. Then Adichie, cause I have the idea of
continuity if a person dies the person is replaced. I think it's about
reincarnation. Then I made it as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
ME;
Awesome ! to hear that you chose your name. You've said, "I didn't choose
writing, writing chose me". From when does it start?
CNA;
I started to write stories that I have already read. When I was five or six I
started writing but I didn't have those stories with me.
ME;
You are one of the feminists, can you share why the word feminist has a
negative connotation?
CNA;
Because I think that feminism has been associated long with the most
extreme versions like feminists hate men. They will think women are better
than men and don't trust men. So many people have asked me. Why do you
call yourself feminists? Why don't you just say you're an equalist or a
humanist? But that is what feminism is.
ME;
Right, exactly.
CNA;
Feminism is about justice for everyone.
ME;
Yes, the thought that you have expressed in this book is very different from
the other books. As it clearly explains feminism in simple terms. One
fascinating thought which made me reflect was "WHAT ARE THE THINGS
THAT WOMEN CANNOT DO BECAUSE THEY ARE WOMEN?"
CNA;
It's a result of patriarchy. Women are not able to express their point of view
although they wish to express it. Society has reinforced men to make shut
womens' voices.
ME;
I completely agree. Can you talk about gender?
CNA;
Gender is not an easy conversation to have, for both men and women. When
we talk about gender there is a huge resistance. The way that people think
about gender itself is a problem. Gender matters. Men and women
experience the world differently. It's certainly the truth which society
struggles to understand.
ME;
Yeah. So how do we raise a child?
CNA;
Be able to create a safe zone for all the individuals to express and make
them feel worthy. It should start from parenting. Fathers should also play a
major role.
ME;
Reading your work a lot of the work has to be done by men who need to
participate and why it is so important?
CNA;
Because men have to be on board. I think you can change women all you
want if you don't change men nothing changes because we share the wall
it's men and women and I also think sadly that we live in a world where men
are more likely to listen to men.
ME;
Oh. It's true, wow. Sure then how do you convince the first man?
CNA;
I think some men have already been convinced. I think men need to speak
up, men need to be on board. Men need not think that feminism belongs
only to females. It's all about understanding the female and male.
ME;
Of course, right. What do you want to share with young creative writers?
CNA;
Just start reading. Read both genres what you like and dislike at least once,
just give it a try. I often tell my students, "I'm going to have you read
something, I don't like", but I ask my student who loves fiction so that I can
try to feel and try them.
ME;
Thank you so much for being on the show with me. It's an amazing book
"DEAR IJEAWELE, or A FEMINIST MANIFESTO IN FIFTEEN SUGGESTIONS"
is available now online too. I encourage the listens to read her books.
CNA;
It's been a great time talking to you, thanks.
by Christta K, Bangalore
