FEMINISM AND CHIMAMANDA ADICHIE`S AUDACITY

The world is familiar with author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Nigerians are too. Proudly so. Women are, too. After all, she is one of their own. Sexists are too and with every word she utters in repudiation of the historic discrimination women have suffered in various forms since the beginning of time, in different places all over the world, this latter group is pushed into pricks and needles.

Led by Daddy Freeze and a host of social media soldiers, they have predictably lashed out, in some instances even renouncing their love for the stirringly gifted author of Purple Habiscus, Half Of A Yellow Sun and Americanah. Not that Adichie will be overly bothered.As a proud defender of the right every author has to offend others, one only needs to read her Half Of A Yellow Sun to see how strongly she takes on issues. If that makes her un-woman, she is happy at the transformation.

In a world that is patriarchal, speaking up for women who are the majority ironically makes one a minority. The backlash is always swift and bitter. Yet, it is a painful truth that from birth, women are placed in circumstances where men dictate their lives like the tunes from a tightly strung guitar. The men are not just taught that they should dominate from birth, the women are taught subservience from birth. If as a woman, you refuse to learn subservience, you suffocatingly become an outlier. Families, schools and religious affiliations are especially responsible for promoting this dominion on the one hand, and subservience on the other hand.

Adichie has become a voice crying in the wilderness for issues that affect women. She should be commended and supported. She is also smart enough to expect bitter backlash. The paradox of feminism is that it is a minority campaign for the majority.