We should all be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | Book review

BLURB

What does “feminism” mean today? That is the question at the heart of We Should All Be Feminists, a personal, eloquently-argued essay—adapted from her much-viewed TEDx talk of the same name—by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the award-winning author of Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun.

With humor and levity, here Adichie offers readers a unique definition of feminism for the twenty-first century—one rooted in inclusion and awareness. She shines a light not only on blatant discrimination, but also the more insidious, institutional behaviors that marginalize women around the world, in order to help readers of all walks of life better understand the often masked realities of sexual politics. Throughout, she draws extensively on her own experiences—in the U.S., in her native Nigeria, and abroad—offering an artfully nuanced explanation of why the gender divide is harmful for women and men, alike. More on GOODREADS

“Both men and women are resistant to talk about gender, or are quick to dismiss the problems of gender. Because thinking of changing the status quo is always uncomfortable.”

– Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Title : We Should all be Feminists Author : Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Genre : Essay , Biography
Goodreads rating : 4.45
Pages : 52 pages
Publication : 29 July 2014 by Vintage
Source: Roving Heights
Reading Format : Hardcopy
Standalone/Series : Standalone
Spoiler or non Spoiler : Both

Ernestine’s Review | Rant ;

Wednesday, 10th June by 11:05 am.

Hello guys, I’m back and I’m going to be giving a short review on this book with mind opening observations and opinions. I’m not going to hide anything. It gets 5 stars ⭐️ for me.

It’s going to have some quotes attached one way or the other to spice up the excitement in our bodies.

“Some men feel threatened by the idea of feminism. This comes, I think, from the insecurity triggered by how boys are brought up, how their sense of self-worth is diminished if they are not “naturally” in charge as men.”

I’ll start with this. What do people even think feminism is ? Why is it always linked with bitterness? . In the book , the first few pages explores a time in her life when she is young and Her friend calls her a Feminist. The funny thing is that he links it to terrorism. This shows the way we take up the word. This book simply gives insight why we take up this title not only as a title but as something that becomes part of us. She gives instances of situations where the fire in her burns and she yearns to know why things like this still happen.

“We say to girls: You can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful but not too successful, otherwise you will threaten the man.”

This is a popular quote and many of us have heard it. She gives this statement and questions why this is so . As if we aren’t all human beings who breathe? It baffles me too why I must drop my ambition just because I want to please a man or society in general. This is something I enjoy doing. She drops this interesting quote and one pertaining virginity too. Why is the girl’s more prized than the boy. Some places , girls are ridiculed for virginity and it’s even traced to the hymen . What a cheap way of bringing girl’s low.

“I feel upset. I want to tell them that I am just as human as the man, just as worthy of acknowledgment. These are little things, but sometimes it is the little things that sting the most.”

She uses a very prominent example of a man and woman going on a date. The woman pays for the meal this time , and the waiter comes and thanks only the man assuming he is the one thats pays. Or even walking into most gatherings and only the presence of the man is recognized. Do not dare close your eyes or ignore it. You and I know that it is true. I feel bad when that happens. It’s like I’m born to feel lucky and only when it’s validated by male presence.

“We have evolved. But our ideas of gender have not evolved very much.”

Change you may say , but change happens when we begin to accept the truth. The book tells us that we should accept this not as pity towards the female gender but as something normal because we are all human beings.

She makes reference to the word EMASCULATION . You should check it out in the dictionary and why it is not a word to be used in pressing issues .

There is also a time of her life , when clearly she bags the position of the class captain but her teacher chose her boy classmate instead with the saying that men are supposed to lead. What about women? Are we so cursed that taking these positions will cause chaos? Or is it just another way to belittle us. You know it happens and you have read about it too.

“Boys and girls are undeniably different biologically, but socialization exaggerates the differences. And then starts a self-fulfilling process.”

She uses cooking as a reference point of view. As if it’s pre installed in the vagina of a woman and it’s something you must learn if not you are less women. She also tells us in the book , that even when society has made it seem so and already breached the gap , most chefs in the world are male. Now I wonder where we went wrong?.

“I am trying to unlearn many lessons of gender I internalized while growing up. But I sometimes still feel vulnerable in the face of gender expectations.”

She writes her experience on why she is drawn so much to it yet she has struggles. Everyone has struggles with this especially when it’s instilled in you right from birth. When culture and religion is used to shade this inequality like an umbrella. Everytime , a reference in the Bible is made or a reference to traditional beliefs. Forgetting that these things change and evolve with time. Practices then are not so relatable now and some are even abominable.

“Some people will say a woman is subordinate to men because it’s our culture. But culture is constantly changing.”

She uses killing of twins as an example to why this should not be linked to culture. Culture changes so societal views on women should too.

“Boys and girls are undeniably different biologically, but socialization exaggerates the differences. And then starts a self-fulfilling process.”

She doesn’t dispute the fact that we aren’t two different genders. She let’s us know that it’s really exaggerated the way things are said and hopefully it stops.

She is angry and let’s us know that anger has made positive changes just like the ones happening now but still not enough. I suggest this book to anyone. It’s a must read and very easy to read. It isn’t bulky for non avid readers and very mind opening.

“My own definition is a feminist is a man or a woman who says, yes, there’s a problem with gender as it is today and we must fix it, we must do better. All of us, women and men, must do better.”

– Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I will end with the fact that I hundred percent recommend it to everyone who comes across this post and anyone I meet.

Ernestine💕.