Book Review: We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Published July 29th 2014 by Vintage

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.

Argued in the same observant, witty and clever prose that has made Adichie a bestselling novelist, here is one remarkable author’s exploration of what it means to be a woman today—and an of-the-moment rallying cry for why we should all be feminists.

We Should All Be Feminists is a short but concise essay about why we still need to be feminists! The author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie tells us some of her life experiences in Lagos and it makes you think that yes, we still need to talk about this.

I feel grateful because my parents raise us to be strong and independent. We are three sisters, and we all had opportunities to study, to work, to raise a family, etc. Nobody ever told me or made me feel like I was lees. Is not unusual for me to have women making her way in life, having a job, or her own business, being great mothers, or travelers....whatever they want. Of course, we all know society expects women to work more, at her job and at home, and we get paid less. And is not fair.

I live in Latin America, where people is usually very machista. But what bothers me more is that is not only men, but women who are very machista!! Women are the ones who usually ask you when you are going to get married (at a very young age!), and when you are having children. Society expects you to be always well dresses, nails and hair done, a good body...it doesn't really matters if you study a career. Mothers like to teach her daughters to cook and clean, because they have to be good wives. And of course you have to have children, and raise them perfectly.

I remember when I was at the university, old women always asked me when I was going to get married. Really? Not that I'm against marriage, I love my marriage and my husband, but at that time I was occupied studying! When I graduated, the big question was: When is the wedding?.... Thankfully I had a job where most of the bosses were women, and they were a role model. Now I have my own business, and yes, I still sometimes get questions as Are YOU the owner? Are YOU the veterinarian? Is this your husband's business, right? Well, I am the owner! And no, my husband is not related to my business! It was my idea and my money, thank you very much.

Of course that's not everyone, and I'd like to think each decade it's less people who think like that. Because we live in a region where is usual for mothers to raise alone her children, and the system give us the same opportunities to study. So, what happens? Maybe not only we should raise our children better, as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie says, but first we women need to change that idea of what being a 'good' women is.

We Should All Be Feminists is totally recommended!