A review by leggierigia20
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

emotional informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

“Culture does not make people. People make culture. If it is true that the full humanity of women is not our culture, then we can and must make it our culture.”

We should all be feminists: A controversial statement that shouldn’t be controversial.

This tiny book is an essay by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, adapted from a TED talk she gave in 2012. At its core, its first and foremost a definition and an appeal to humanity.

At the beginning of the previous decade, African author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie gave an infamous Ted Talk, that over a period of time, has come to be applauded as one of the most progressive and well-rounded speeches on feminism in the twenty first century. What’s so amazing about this piece is that Adichie, while expressing the problems that African women face, is that it remains relevant and relatable to every woman everywhere. Which is why everyone should be a feminist.

In just about 50 pages, Adichie talks about her experiences of sexism growing up in Nigeria and how it’s affected her life. I particularly loved the eloquent way this essay is worded; it’s persuasive but in a way that doesn’t force you into agreement with her. And it doesn’t have to because her story speaks for itself. 

What I think is really important is how she emphasizes the way that feminism is about equality between both sexes, something which is at the core of feminism but is overlooked so often in today’s society. 

With many personal and relatable anecdotes, Adichie takes down the criticisms of feminism, as a word and as a concept. 

I also loved how she so unapologetically embraces feminism and being a feminist, as this is something that I know will be empowering for many women, and men, which is why everyone should be a feminist. 

After reading this, I can say Adichie has done justice to the word “feminism,” and it’s a must read for anyone that’s angry about the need to address the injustice women experience. 
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