Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The responsibility of being a feminist icon - 100 Women, BBC World Service

[@BBCWorldService]

👋🏽Hi! We hope you enjoyed this interview by the BBC 100 Women team. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was included in the list of 100 names that BBC 100 Women publishes every year, with a mission to address the under-representation of women in media. We are constantly looking for inspirational women and girls from all around the world, leading on change in the fields of politics, social affairs, environmental activism, and many more areas. If you want to help us in this exciting project please suggest in the comments below names of amazing female leaders you would like to see included in that list. Thank you for watching this interview! If you enjoyed it, don’t forget to subscribe to our channel here 👉🏽 bbc.in/3VyyriM

[@briannachinembiri169]

❤️❤️❤️It's her poise, her intelligence, her beauty, her hair, her eloquence and calmness! ❤️❤️❤️

[@zainabinti5170]

U said it ALL!!!!

[@tbell1698]

And that's just the start. This amazing woman is a role model, albeit a reluctant one. I love her message about the importance of owning our justified anger and making good trouble. She's reminiscent of another beloved icon of mine, John Lewis.

[@ms.rstake_1211]

Ikr?

[@maureenwairimu2499]

Her hair.

[@priscillahnalubega9201]

You have said it all...She Is a role model

[@tonye_jimgeorge]

the fact she is so authentic and doesn't change her words because of what the world wants to hear is something to learn.

[@canyango5457]

Thank you for that very focused interview...as usual, Chimamanda shines by the way she crafts her words ❤

[@elaine1047]

@Angela Bronckhurst thanks for bringing up this issue using your privileged role in the society

[@tok1879]

@Angela Bronckhurst ha! Now we see where the hate comes from. 😂

[@SisiYemmieTV]

So eloquent 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾 and love how she sticks to her guns

[@lolaoye2892]

That is Nigerians for YOU................

[@Carib7056]

She has integrity ❤️

[@chidimmauwaoma]

"Responsibility is what I define for my self". Anytime I listen to her, I gain insight.

[@jackdeniston59]

and force on others

[@Carib7056]

SAME!!!!!!

[@Yahkahey]

I just love to hear her talk her “Nigerian English!” Also she remains true to her culture and to herself. So sorry to hear of the lost of her beloved parents. May their souls Rest In Peace.

[@lynettemokgano9009]

Oh no! I only heard of her father's passing. When did her mother pass? May she be comforted

[@Okont]

@@lynettemokgano9009 not long after her dad's.

[@lynettemokgano9009]

@@Okont thank you for the update. She is one of my favorite

[@wanjikukagira6692]

She has an Nigerian ascent whatever that is?

[@Okont]

@@wanjikukagira6692 it's about time Africans stopped getting offended by people talking about their accent. It's nothing bad; any person in a foreign country/region will sound different to the natives. Even among the US states, you can tell the natives have different accents, and they don't get offended by people telling them they have an accent when they're out of their state. It's just natural.

[@afro-carib5642]

"A Responsibility I don't want someone else to define for me". Bravo👏👏💥💥

[@kevo1legend]

You are the viewer, so you are responsible for watching this video, like or dislike and comment.

[@touched000moved]

I didn’t think I could love her more ❤️

[@harrietlucky6316]

It's her refusal to be allow her demeanour and takes be tilted by seemly accepted ways by the society for me. She is so authentic and not under any pressure to be accepted as the ' best thing after sliced bread ' by the society. She stands her ground, speaks her mind and expresses her thoughts in the most confident way... Love love her ❤

[@NanaloveTV]

Beautiful... such a powerful word. I love her T-shirt “Oyilinnia” meaning ‘father’s look alike’ in Igbo. I love how she takes us on a journey with her life experiences in 📚.

[@samauthor342]

Thanks for this! It just added layers to the whole talk for me 😊

[@lunalea1250]

Thanks, was looking at piks of her wedding today and thought she looked like he father!😊

[@diegochristian1409]

Thanks for defining the word I was wondering what it meant...daalu

[@camaa_pearl]

I love how Chimamanda answers questions, how she thinks and stand by her views.

[@kswwsk]

I absolutely adore her, she is an amazing woman, an amazing human being.

[@CinemaDoll137]

So poised, elegant, intelligent, and absolutely stunning. I'm at a loss for words over how amazing this woman is.

[@adamraelson8010]

I respect you so much, Chimamanda! This interview has been a joy to watch. Thank you!

[@lets_eat_n_talk]

The interviewer is such a warm graceful lady. Good job

[@foreveredu7168]

It's illegal that she's so intelligent and beautiful 😇😊

[@sammygoodman6699]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@nzuix]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍

[@ZAZUtakiyaho]

When will you ppl stop these racist, backhanded compliments?

[@Princesa30000]

Hahahahaha... 🤣🤣🤣 I oppose!! It's very legal for her to be intelligent and beautiful and powerfull and just too much🥰🥰🥰🔥🔥🤣

[@GoGetFree]

“There are consequences for refusing to perform..and I’m willing to take on those consequences” YES YES YES

[@jacquettaladson1792]

I love Chimamanda ❤! She's so articulate and straightforward. I love listening to thinkers, that are down to earth and honest !!!

[@c.c.akomah]

I don't know how to explain the beautiful emotions I feel listening or watching her speak. She's just graceful and elegant.

[@kamso9269]

Chimamanda was just too good in this interview. The insight into every point she made has enlightened me even on things I thought I knew

[@usochiilozumba6240]

I switched from a dogmatic critic of this queen to an avid reader of her books and loyal admirer. Initially, I believed what "some people" thought about her: that "she is a dangerous rebel in the thick cultural subjugation of women in Nigeria, that she will turn women's head into fighting for what was not there's to have in the first place, that she's a critic of the Catholic church, etc etc". I believed "these people" then but thank goodness I sought the truth for myself. I delved into reading her books, gulping down pages and pages and tearing down the fat scales my eyes had been blinded with. I listened to her talks, interviews, the recent phenomenal speech at the Humboldt Forum, and now this video... I'm short of words at Chimamanda's intelligence, composure, diction, and salty-calm humor that disarms even the meanest critic. Thank you Chimamanda for who you are and what you are to the world, and to us Nigerian women!

[@sophieogochukwu9676]

Unapologetically honest! Chimamanda always owns her space. She is a calm, highly intelligent and an eloquent speak. It's always a pleasure to listen to her speak.

[@mapitsorangaka1030]

Amen, as soon as I raise my voice, my husband labeled me as verbally abusive and overreacting, just because I was challenging him about being present at home and responsible and because he was irresponsible in a quiet and manipulative and I was outspoken. I still speak loud and straight forward against unfairness and injustices against children I undertook to support in the education system.

[@nzuix]

Thou shall not raise your voice on your husband. Get that Masculine energy away from you and again you can make your point without raising your voice. I come in peace.

[@lala-4458]

i'd say you should divorce him if he reacts to you in that way just because you speak your opinion :/ he's the one overreacting, not you

[@KiRetteCouture]

@@nzuix how on earth is raising one's voice masculine? Aggression just happens to be more acceptable when it comes from men. No one, male of female should be raising their voice at their partner. It's about anger management.

[@KiRetteCouture]

A raised voice will just make him defensive and you are unlikely to achieve much. Try talking to him more calmly next time or seek a trusted third party like a counsellor to help facilitate communication between you both. Sounds like you both have things to address. All the best.

[@nkhen_c357]

Why shout to get your point across? That shows lack of control

[@kituyitracy9948]

Language Orthodoxy.Thanks Chimamanda for always using your position of influence to voice your thoughts rather than the worlds thoughts. Thats true greatness!

[@chikumbimwenda9729]

I love what she said about Trans-women ...

[@BBrunnel]

I'm only here to see if she was going to talk doubt the controversy so I shall be watching the entire thing now.

[@ucheezeudureads]

I feel so intelligent listening to her speak. Such an icon 😍😍

[@rosewaterpetals6487]

"The goal of feminism is to make itself redundant." "Men and women are not the same." These two statements speak to Chimamanda's type of feminism. Anyone with legitimate criticism of feminism ought to make a distinction between Chimamanda (& people like her) and the rest of the people they criticise. There's so much nuance, so much reason and intelligence in what she says.

[@KayEnCee4Life]

As a trans woman I would thank Chimamanda, in my experience it is often the inclination of others to erase and refuse to acknowledge my existence. That’s not what she did, she acknowledged our differences and highlighted the ways cooperation and solidarity are absolutely necessary in the struggle for justice.

[@alienloner3985]

Transwomen are not women! But men can be also feminists.

[@KayEnCee4Life]

@@alienloner3985 Funny cause I exist as a Black trans woman, you cannot speak my womanhood out of existence for your comfort.

[@prestigefavour5179]

Keep deceiving yourself Mr trans woman

[@jus2cute09]

You’re a man and will NEVER experience sex based violence and discrimination we face. If you were living in Afghanistan for instance all you trans women will identify as men. You only like the watered down female experience.

[@KayEnCee4Life]

@@jus2cute09 I already have experienced gender based violence, silly. And girl why you wasting your breath and energy if you so sure

[@favourogbonna1]

And she’s so beautiful too. The calm eloquence, the very well spoken words etc just makes me love her more

[@LS-sf1hf]

This woman: Brilliant.

[@gbemietryphoza]

I also love her hair. Extremely gorgeous!!!🥰🥰🥰

[@thankfulforlife]

She's not scared of anything nor anyone. This is what life should be- freedom.

[@loorye1]

Zero words salads, zero need to impress, zero condescending. Class and plain Authenticity, a real Powerful African woman, a beautiful human.

[@anthonychira5466]

We should all be a Feminist because a feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.

[@daniel2377]

Men and women are not equal and can 👎 be the better you realize that the better for the world you will always have problems. Changing anything that is naturally created that way even in nature (animals) and bible female are created to be subjected to their husbands ❤

[@daniel2377]

What should be said is we should stop oppressing or maltreatment of human man and woman are not the same yeah they are human

[@Mimi-nr6jx]

She looks so pretty…wow, the hair!

[@littlemascara5204]

God, what a woman 💕💪

[@iriagboneseogbomo6120]

Chi baby, thank you for being you. Thank you for being an excellent example of SAY IT AS IT IS. People like us are now an endangered species because we choose to do and say the right thing regardless of whose ox is gored. God Almighty will give us the strength to remain the geniuses HE created us to be. AND WE CAN NEVER FALL BY THE WAYSIDE.

[@shannonnefra9738]

She has a beautiful aura! She has brains and beauty, and I love and respect her. Thank you for being an inspiration for black and brown females.🌷

[@loorye1]

She is an inspiration for every women, listen to her carefully🙏🏽

[@iammar1159]

Women *

[@alphazolax1843]

She said it just the way it is and I stand by her so many views .

[@Taluta394]

Such an incredible woman, such beautiful soul. This was a blessing to hear and seeing. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@soumiguha9306]

I adore the way she speaks so eloquently. I 100% agree with her stance on trans issues. In my culture, trans people have existed throughout history and mythology, and have in recent years been legally recognized as the third gender i.e a class of their own. So I often wonder if the "trans women are women" line of thought exists in the West solely because of the absence of trans people in the public eye throughout their cultural history.

[@edenn.6168]

Where are you from?

[@soumiguha9306]

@@edenn.6168 India.

[@marginaliamusing4758]

Yep, this is true for most of the Indian subcontinent. I have read Pakistan issued passports with a transgender category around five yrs ago. We should be taking note. It's disingenuous to suggest trans women are point blank 'women'. They are 'trans women'; they have different lived experiences, biology, socialisation, etc. But like you said, trans people have been part of the fabric of society for generations in India, which likely plays into why a third gender category is more easily accepted.

[@happylindsay4475]

I have never hadvto contend with this idea...thank you!

[@alienloner3985]

Transwomen are definitely not women! Doesn't matter what they do with their body. This whole gender thing is very confusing. There are only two genders as two sexes. This trans propaganda has gone too far. You cannot change your biology, you don't have power.

[@FaeEllington]

Thank you for always clearly and unapologetically speaking your truth, and that of others. To be truly inclusive we need to accept, respect and include differences. Again, you remind us to be wary of 'The Single Story'.

[@ByteMwen]

You too are a legend Ms Fae! We appreciate you!

[@dumadan7561]

Love her. Eloquent and oozing tons of poise. Unapologetic in her well rounded views. Non-conformist. Opinionated. Just wonderful.

[@1207Hairplace]

Brilliant woman! 👏

[@beckyphala5436]

Catherine did very well in the interview. Kenyan media personalities are always a joy to watch 🙌😊 Chimamamda is obviously my feminist icon 👑🙏

[@kayeononyeka]

Not just what she says but the way she says it 🥰

[@em6352]

Purple Hibiscus was such an inspirational and uplifting book. Her views and judgement of feminism is truly remarkable!

[@zigzig9938]

I have also read ,the thing around your neck’.

[@Beijaxol]

Let’s agree to disagree and respect our distinctions. I appreciate the clarity of thought and feeling that Chimamanda brings to her writing and public speaking. As a Black woman who is gay and a 1st generation American of Brazilian descent, I am always embracing difference as a gift and not a problem. This interview deepens my appreciation of owning the truths that make us who we are.

[@Sarahtamghart]

She’s inspirational 💜.

[@MynameisAdji]

Chimamanda was brilliant. I cried and empathized with her grief. I wish the interviewer interacted instead of just asking questions. She wouldn’t even react to her answers.

[@milolaahmed]

She didn't interact or flowed with the conversation

[@MynameisAdji]

@@milolaahmed yes and that’s a pity. Especially when she talked about her grief. She could have offered her condolences

[@ekemininels0n]

2022 listening to this amazing woman, iconic and a legend who's unshakeable.

[@tinushoniwealth529]

My late grandmother also refused to remarry any of her late husband's relatives in the early sixties though she risks losing access to her late husband's properties. Thank God she had her own business, money and her relatives support back then, so she defied culture. The so called brothers are nowhere to be found this present day.

[@addisalemgirma619]

I just couldn't get enough of listening to this woman speak. 💕💕

[@sylviabute7530]

Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou, Chimamanda for speaking your mind.

[@nzuix]

Trans women are not women, they are Trans women. She is right and has always been right.

[@kcol3747]

Trans aren't even trans women they are STILL MEN

[@carolmbithe8539]

It can’t be any way easier 👌🏾Definition

[@wisdom1285]

@@kcol3747 lol

[@warilaetamaraye8712]

Her power to be herself! To work hard to be what she want to be! The blessing of having good and responsible parenting. Many do not have such combination.

[@iyadunniolubode4427]

Thanks Chimamanda and special thanks to the very skillful interviewer who clearly did her research and matched Chimamanda in poise and eloquence. A good interview creates an inviting carte blanche for the interviewee. Great job!

[@charmyni8847]

When I see Chimamanda I am proud to be Igbo

[@meriummazima4729]

So are we 🇳🇦

[@rachelwachira1204]

Ever since I discovered this amazing woman, I have changed and hence the world will change. Inspiration.

[@comfortmarthaoginuche806]

She is an Amazing woman waooo, thank you for being a Voice all especially in that part of world ❤

[@hannanshawqi6964]

A joy to watch...her ability to command gymnastics with her thoughts and analysis is admirable....

[@beea.9435]

I so love this lady and especially the way she puts her points across so eloquently and well thought through; very admirable... I'll listen to her any day. Her audaciousness too to certain issues is highly commendable... We definitely need more voices like hers.

[@Moonchild98]

Poised, elegant queen! Never back down!

[@lyliqueen9437]

Really amazed by her calmness and honesty. She's true to her self. Sorry for her lost. Some of us have lost our loved ones this year 2020. May their souls rest in peace

[@unyinscorner]

I can’t explain how I feel about chimamanda its love and admiration ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ every time I listen to or see her

[@worship8741]

Everything about chimamanda is just exquisite and intellectual 💕💕💕💕

[@nishadupuis4530]

I love listening to this woman!!! ✨

[@khef3846]

This lady is a truly authentic author. Knowledge, language and eloquence 🤩

[@jennbrooms8058]

I love listening to her, she's so eloquent and intelligent.

[@mariaisabella5087]

She is truly an incredibly smart, talented, and well-spoken woman! One of my biggest role models, a huge inspiration. :)

[@gbemietryphoza]

I just love this woman... So brave, courageous, strong and warm❤️❤️❤️

[@towerakanyenda646]

Her comment on language orthodoxy got me, its good that someone prominent is talking about this. Chimamanda is awesome.

[@obecomfort4126]

I admire her poise. The way she gracefully answers the questions without raising her voice, being confrontational, or verbally abusive just facts, originality and plenty of insights should be studied 💯

[@arvyarvy4242]

her hair is gorgeous

[@chinonye2]

I could listen to this woman speak all day! Literally.....

[@kingsleyabia3751]

She is just a rare gem and a genius. If only I could connect to her summer workshops. Please any links?

[@Faith-wh2xe]

Very relatable as far as loss and death…it does change you.

[@GraceReport]

Love her ❤

[@njerimburu4113]

the grace she uses when she handled the question on trans women are transwomen is in credible, felt like a hot seat for a moment, I mean it is true, what she says about accepting the difference and even validating this segment of the conversation gives me jitters, because we are afraid of tweeting, commenting, posting anything on social media based on how read and re-reads are going to determine the paths of our lives. There is a certain language orthodox we are expected to adhere to and I love that she chose authenticity over it all. Thank you Chimamanda, beautiful conversation right there

[@santanagonsalves6461]

Stunning woman.

[@mazzynewsofficial1899]

I've just come to discover this beautiful lady with this magnificent commonsense! I really concur with her in all what she says, especially in the point that boys, along with girls, should be altogether equally raised gently. If we wish to have a world with less anger and more creativity, we should certainly invest in educating the upcoming generations.

[@bijoumwaura3735]

21:10 this is so powerful 👏 I wish I knew this as a teenager 😔 I am glad to be aware of this now as a young woman ❤❤❤

[@fromtheheadlines-z6r]

Each time I hear her speak it delights my soul and help me redefine myself.

[@curious493]

You know, 'Half of a Yellow Sun' was revolutionary for me. Made me something about our educational system in South Africa 🇿🇦, was unacceptably faulty. The book was traumatic for me, in a good way; it's allowed me to see one of the benefits of homeschooling. Anyhow, thank you Chiamanda. And thank you for reading my comment 😅

[@kellz1953]

I adore Chimamanda so much and appreciate her humanity, vulnerability, and candor. ❤

[@anastrachan]

What an amazing woman!

[@sallycinnamon795]

What an amazing woman!!!

[@emmanuelchidiebere8416]

Her elegance, boldness, beauty, strength and most of all esteem is more than wonderful

[@pashukeni_]

What a phenomenal woman . Intelligent, beautiful, bold, stylish and and and 😍😭

[@dianemarshall7439]

Such a beautiful sister in every way. Thank you for sharing.

[@burtisaac1000]

Thanks for sharing your beautiful mind in thoughts 💭.

[@---re9jc]

Enjoyed it. Keep up the good work and thank you.

[@aliwalk5179]

I love Chimamanda 👑thank you for sharing 💝💨

[@beliumomodu6240]

Her communication skills is so powerful and resonate in and also her used or words truly depicted her styles of communication. She's very intelligent and good used of words in story telling and also good commands of English language for a foreigner

[@Mediocre2Great]

Good command of English for a foreigner of where ?? Nigeria or America? Both are English speaking countries

[@theubbakoderoshow8554]

Cut the ignorant crap man

[@cathykaeshow7779]

I love this woman please. She is someone with the type of character I wish to build myself to be.

[@tbell1698]

This interview was masterful, poignant and beautiful.

[@somtoopeter7651]

I like the way she used intellectualisation as her healthy Defense mechanism to overcome anxiety. She is very strong

[@weaversofhopeinfo3395]

She is so great

[@matanochondo3328]

Well, I am still amazed by the speech you wrote and presented at TED conference. I think you are one of the smartest women in the 21st century. This story is too relevant in our modern societies. Every second people in this world enact this story.

[@ijangyvonnembah]

I love the calm nature of the Journalist. African women are beautiful and smart.