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Nairaland Forum / Entertainment / Literature / Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? (20993 Views)
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Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by mrrights: 3:50pm On Nov 14, 2016 |
ISN’T CHIMAMANDA ADICHIE RACIST? Abdulrazaq O Hamzat Since the emergence of MR D.J Trump as US president elect, issue of racism has became a burning topic. The real or perceived racist rhetoric’s of Mr Trump, during the campaign period has led to fear, election violence and wide spread protest against his emergence as the US president. Few days, after Mr Trump emerged winner of US presidential election, Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was invited to a BBC discussion and something strange was said. Those close to me can testify that I admire Chimamanda Adichie so much for her vocal personality. Not only do I often find time to watch interviews and events she is featured, I also do read most of her articles. Despite the fact that I am not a fan of novels, because of Adichie, I became one. Although, while I sometimes find myself disagreeing with her views on issues, that didn’t in anyway, take away the love and admiration I have for her as person. Probably, this opinion of mine is another way of disagreeing with her. Here is the issue. Today, while surfing the Internet, I came across a story on nairaland front page with the caption, ‘’Chimamanda Adichie on Trump, Racism and the KKK’’ https://www.nairaland.com/3464690/chimamanda-adichie-trump-racism-kkk#51026721. The story was a video of her discussion on BBC Newsnight, about the outcome of the US election with Editor –in-Chief of a conservative magazine, American Spectator, Emmett Tyrrell. As usual, I open the story and read through. However, not only did I read through the story, I equally watched the video to be sure some transcript or words, ascribed to Adichie was actually hers. As I watch the very heated and engaging discussion, in which Adichie sat down with style, emitting character and confidence, making me admire her even more. I can’t but shake my head in disbelief, when she expressed some views I consider very offensive to justify her stance on D.J Trump’s racists rhetoric’s during the just concluded US presidential election. During the discussion, BBC reporter, Emily Maitlis explained that, some Republican members, such as Paul Ryan and others have acknowledged the fact that, US President elect, Mr D.J Trump used some racist language while running his campaign. However, Mr Emmett disagreed . According to him, ‘’that’s not true, he, (referring to Mr Trump) hasn’t been racist he said. He went on to ask what racist comment D.J Trump made during the campaign and Adichie responded by citing the comment made against a judge handling Mr Trump’s case, in which the then Republican nominee said, ‘’a judge, a united states judge is unable to judge him fairly because he his Mexican. That is racist, said Adichie. Sincerely speaking, Mr Emmett is being economical with the truth. Every objective follower of US presidential campaign wouldn’t deny the numerous racist comments made by Mr Trump. Yet Mr Emmett did, which is what most political pundits often do to defend their favored politician. As i was pointing out the bias and sentimental position of Mr Emmett to the person watching the video with me, Adichie didn’t allow me; instead, she fired a disgusting missile about racism to justify her stands. I mean, she made a very offensive remark, similar to what she said made Trump racist. Hear her: ‘’If you are a white man, you don’t get to define what racism is. I am sorry, you really don’t’’. Adichie said. Firstly, there is something fundamentally wrong with Adichie’s statement. In fact, everything is wrong with it. Here is why. According to Adichie, Mr D.J Trump is racist, because he said a judge won’t judge him fairly because he his Mexican. Then, Adichie went on to say, ‘’If you are a white man, you don’t get to define what racism is.’’ Meaning, you can’t discuss racism fairly simply because you are white. If D. J Trump is a racist based on what he said about the Mexican judge, I am afraid, isn’t Adichie also guilty of the same offense for what she said about white people ? Mr Emmett responded appropriately by saying, ‘’ Do you know the false consciousness, which is the theory you are talking about in concept. I mean, you are saying, I cannot even open my mouth here because I am a white man?’’. The stunned white man felt very hurt and confused. But that’s exactly what Adichie is saying. That a white man can’t talk racism fairly or get to define racism appropriately because he his white. This in itself, is a racist comment I believe. Instructively, when US president elect, D.J Trump made those racist remarks about the US Mexican judge, thousands, if not millions of white men and women in America condemned him for racism. So did thousands, if not millions of colored people, including African Americans. Similarly, other thousands, if not millions of white men and women defended Trump against the same accusation, and so did colored people, including African Americans. Paul Ryan, quoted by BBC reporter Emiley, as acknowledging Trump to have used racist language is also a white man. It is therefore unreasonable, and highly condemnable for Adichie to look down on Mr Emmett, by claiming he cannot define racism fairly simply because of his color or race. By extension, the racist statement made by Adichie isn’t just about Mr Emmitt as a person, it went beyond him. It is indirectly telling all white men and women who have been condemning racism that no matter what they do to stand against racism, in the eyes of people like Adichie, they can’t be fair because they are white. Let me conclude by stating that, the word racism itself cannot be claimed to have originated from colored people or Africans. While root of the word is not clear, Linguitists generally agree that it came to the English language from Middle French. To then claim that a white man cannot define racism, simply because he his white is not only ignorant and offensive , but it is also racist. 75 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by Eastactivist: 4:06pm On Nov 14, 2016 |
So how does it equate to adichie being a racist? 84 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by mrrights: 5:09pm On Nov 14, 2016 |
The same way Trump is 3 Likes |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by mrrights: 9:56pm On Nov 14, 2016 |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by PayBoyXclusives(m): 6:39am On Nov 15, 2016 |
Hmmm |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by ibkgab001: 6:39am On Nov 15, 2016 |
This world is coming to an end 1 Like
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Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by jeeqaa7(m): 6:40am On Nov 15, 2016 |
who cares? 5 Likes |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by coptic: 6:41am On Nov 15, 2016 |
OP, you are a great thinker... However, I wouldn't call that being racist. It was the retort of someone who has seen her people trampled on only by virtue of their skin color. The voice of a lady who has had enough. That's truth speaking. She wasn't being racist, in that she only acted defensively. Saying it as it is. Intent matters. It may seem like she put them all in one basket, but that was rather a defensive mechanism than an intent to paint all whites a certain way. It does have the impact of racism, but she's far from a racist. So, if you would do justice, I think you should look into her motive. She may be too articulated to not use the right vocabs at such moment, but the scenario must be looked into critically before labeling her a racist or not. Words fail us sometimes. Even a pastor could say loads of shiit in the heat of the moment; it still doesn't take away the fact that the Lord considers him righteous enough (now, I'm talking about a truthful pastor, and not these money mongers). Hope that doesn't make me prejudicial. 59 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by brostheo(m): 6:42am On Nov 15, 2016 |
k |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by iceberryose(m): 6:43am On Nov 15, 2016 |
Humans are hypocrites. 5 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by Eibams60(m): 6:43am On Nov 15, 2016 |
mtcheeew. I was tinkin is somtin serios 7 Likes |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by Smellymouth: 6:43am On Nov 15, 2016 |
Ok |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by Nobody: 6:43am On Nov 15, 2016 |
Too much grammatical errors in the write up made the reading so tiring. In short, this writeup is a very good example of saying alot of things butt actually said nothing... 37 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by Nobody: 6:44am On Nov 15, 2016 |
Op have you considered if she meant the statement in the context of "he who wears the shoe knows where it pinches" ? 83 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by chiwetaluAGU(m): 6:44am On Nov 15, 2016 |
Abokki where you belong sef? I no blame you cause for naija here your brothers carry tribalism and oppressing other tribes for head like tren pan. North dey get everything through quota system and other senseless illogical means while marginalising others. Yet na you people dey cry marginalization pass. Hypocrisy no go kill una. Leave adichie and her americana alone. Note also that you and your brothers are not in position to tell me about marginalisation. Useless and senseless talk 16 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by Philistine(m): 6:44am On Nov 15, 2016 |
She is even worse than a racist. 4 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by Sealeddeal(m): 6:45am On Nov 15, 2016 |
Mind You Op, Adichie made that statement before she gave an example of Trump's racist comment about US Judge. The Statement can be termed Racist going by the meaning of racism but interracial discrimination is not common against the European whites. It's always against other racial group and in a place like America, there is no feeling of racial discrimination among whites. So, if I am not a woman,I have not ability to explain how to feel during Menstruation even though I know what Menstruation is. Op,you get the analogy? 16 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by eph12(m): 6:45am On Nov 15, 2016 |
Eastactivist: Can you read? If yes patiently read. 7 Likes |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by warlord24(m): 6:45am On Nov 15, 2016 |
who f king care... even your mother wont excort u to heaven or hell.. for the beb who caresssss |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by OBAGADAFFI: 6:45am On Nov 15, 2016 |
The comments from that Lady isn't new. Most black with victim mentality, always use racism to blackmail everyone. 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by Nobody: 6:45am On Nov 15, 2016 |
Of course she's a racist . Hiding under the disguise of oppression when in truth she's not any different from the same people she's judging. I think she harassed and intimidated that man and that is quite typical of her passive aggressive personality. She needs to take a chill pill. 13 Likes |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by 9jaBloke: 6:46am On Nov 15, 2016 |
I'm not booking space. I actually 1 Like |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by Mopolchi: 6:46am On Nov 15, 2016 |
Eastactivist:Shebi na abokí write am, wetin you expect? 7 Likes |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by 200dexter(m): 6:47am On Nov 15, 2016 |
A black can't be racist |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by foladara777(m): 6:47am On Nov 15, 2016 |
Let's be realistic, if you have never been a victim of racism, you can't claim to understand it... Just like straight people claiming they understand what it means to be gay in a country like Nigeria or someone who has always been rich claiming that he understand poverty. And racism is not just discrimination... It's essentially an erroneous notion that one race- your race is superior to another. A white person in America has d same advantages as others but a black is naturally disadvantaged because of centuries of the suppression of d black race... So... No, claiming a white person doesn't understand racism is not racist, it's d bitter truth 57 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by mjbaba: 6:48am On Nov 15, 2016 |
mrrights:Ok. Noted |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by Jexyme(f): 6:49am On Nov 15, 2016 |
Yes she is and she's uniquely rude....... What and all you're can just disappear in a minute. |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by LEAFLET(m): 6:49am On Nov 15, 2016 |
I'm very saddened by people's misconception about the interview Chiamanda granted bbc. She was just being objective and straight to the point. How can a white man define racism when he's never felt it before? Can a man describe childbirth or relate to women periods?? People just open their mouth and say anything. If you watch the interview, She tried to subtly point to the man the character of Trump and the white man tried to downplay all the things that Trump did or said before he won as mere fallacy which is hard for Amanda to Understand. That's natural. Let's use common sense here. 43 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by Nobody: 6:49am On Nov 15, 2016 |
abiodunalasa: |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by Nobody: 6:49am On Nov 15, 2016 |
I agree with her, since a lot of US whites have never really known the true taste of racism they can't define it, taking into account how many blacks were treated with severe racist hatred. 8 Likes |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by martineverest(m): 6:50am On Nov 15, 2016 |
blacks will always cry of being the victims of racism,but they ve forgotten that tribalism is d worst form of racism 9 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Is Chimamanda Adichie A Racist? by bluaero(m): 6:50am On Nov 15, 2016 |
Who cares about the opinions of that pained feminist biatch A man beat a woman this time in the US election, please deal with it 2 Likes 1 Share |
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