Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on the Importance of Intellectual Freedom
The acclaimed writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is known for her unapologetic honesty and unique storytelling. Her novel, Americanah, delves into themes of race, love, and migration through the eyes of a young Nigerian woman in the U.S. In her powerful TEDx talk, “We Should All Be Feminists,” sampled by Beyoncé in her song “Flawless,” Adichie gained international attention. Adichie has recently been vocal about what she sees as a dangerous level of cultural self-censorship. During the Atlantic Festival, she sat down with senior editor Gal Beckerman to discuss the role of storytellers, the right to express oneself, and the vital importance of intellectual freedom.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
The Danger of a Single Story
Gal Beckerman: In your viral 2009 TED talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” you discuss how people can limit each other through narrow narratives. Have you considered how people are now imposing single stories on themselves?
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Interestingly, I hadn’t thought about it that way. We now live in ideological tribes that demand strict adherence to orthodoxy. There’s a moral stridency in our response to speech that is punitive. People are afraid of expressing themselves freely, and they impose the single story on themselves. The belief that one can only write about personal experiences is detrimental to literature and the growth of imagination. Freedom is crucial for creativity. I worry that curiosity, creativity, and learning are being stifled.
Bewilderment and the State of America
Beckerman: In your recent essay commemorating the 10-year anniversary of Americanah, you mentioned that bewilderment played a significant role in its creation. What bewilders you about America today?
Adichie: Oh, where do I begin? First, I simply don’t understand the appeal of Donald Trump. It’s bewildering that such a potentially dangerous person has widespread support. I also find the tribal orthodoxies perplexing. People feel compelled to automatically disagree with anything their political opponents say, without considering its content. America is my second home, and seeing its decline is disheartening.
The Impact on Creativity and the Role of Social Media
Beckerman: In a 2021 essay, you criticized the fear of having the wrong opinions dominating social media. What impact does this have on creativity?
Adichie: There’s a decline in compassion and moral courage, which are interconnected. On social media, compassion is scarce, as people are attacked for expressing their opinions. This leads to self-censorship and a lack of moral courage to speak up. Creativity suffers under this atmosphere. People worry about what others will think, even in workshops. I wish people would read more imaginative writing; it may foster compassion.
Speaking Out and Self-Censorship
Beckerman: As someone who frequently speaks out, how does it feel to potentially be seen as critical to your own side?
Adichie: It doesn’t bother me. I want to stay home, read poetry, and write fiction. But I feel compelled to speak up against injustice, even from a young age. Banning books, like with my own book, is abhorrent. Protecting children from uncomfortable truths robs them of knowledge and pleasure. On the left, we critique book banning, but what about the self-censorship we promote? We should aim to be less vicious, more compassionate, and charitable in our interactions. This may change the tone on social media and broaden our literature.
The Narrowness of Contemporary Fiction
Beckerman: You mentioned finding contemporary fiction uninteresting. Is there something that consistently frustrates you as a reader?
Adichie: I’m constantly…
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