My Mother, the Crazy African, by Chimamanda Adichie
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was born in Abba, in Nigeria in 1977. She moved to the US when she was 19 to studey. She has a master´s degree in Creative Writing. She is the author of three novels, Purple Hibiscus (2003), Half of a Yellow Sun (2006), and Americanah (2013), of a short story collection, The Thing around Your Neck (2009), a collection of poems, Decision. She has also written a play, For Love of Biafra.
She has received numerous awards and distinctions, including the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction (2007) and a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship (2008).
The Biafran war, and its consequences on the Nigerian people, is a major theme in her work.
For more information about the author, visit her official web site.
To read My Mother, The Crazy African on line, click here.
Do you have some more minutes to spare? If you do, don´t miss this fascinating talk by Chimamanda Adichie. Watch the video and be ready to comment on it in class!
Isn´t she awsome?!! Did you enjoy it?
Which part did you enjoy the most? To what extent has this video helped you understand the characters´ behaviour and attitudes in the short story?Leave your comment in our comment session below!
You may include a brief summary of the story if you consider it useful. You may also include the author´s biography and/or any other interesting information you find to enliven your portfolio.
grace :-)
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ResponderEliminarI loved this video!.
EliminarI joined the part when Chimamanda´s american roommate asked if she could listen her "tribal" music.So Chimamanda produced her the tape of Mariah Carey.She was shocked because this african girl could speak English very well and knew a pop singer from another country.In fact,she ignored Nigeria had English as its official languaje and african girl may like hearing music from other countries,in this case, U.S.A.
What do I mean?.To me,this is an example of "the danger of the single story".(Obviously,we do not have all the things about everything!).
If you talk about "Africa" maybe,some people will imagine jungle, wild animals, tribes,black and poor people,civil wars.If you say "Argentina",people from other countries will think about Maradona, tango, asado.
They know a single story,but we are not only that.Behind those topics,ideas,the countries have a lot of stories and their own History that developed their culture,in fact, their identity.
I personally think that she is a brave and intelligent woman with a very interesting critique about how we only pay attention to one story. Of course,that´s because of the popularity and power of some countries but it´s good to know that people like her write or tell other stories that happens.
ResponderEliminarTo me , It´s important as she said to not stay with one point of view and see different aspects about it.
I Like the video so much!.
ResponderEliminarFrom my point of view ,in the video she explains why the characters in her stories show an European stereotype.
Apart from that, she writes about different topics as: Inmigration, the power of Feminist, the adelescence and other topics.
To Conclude , she learns us that there is no only a way to see the things.
I agreed with Chimamanda as she says that we shouldn't keep in our mind an only single story.When we are going to make an idea about something ,we should take into account other opinions and reflections, so we will able to have a better information which let us open our mind.
ResponderEliminarIn my opinion i really liked it, her english is very clear and what she says to audience is interesting.
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ResponderEliminarI like this video!!!
ResponderEliminarIn my opinion, Chimamanda told us about the danger of loosing the identity when someone is an immigrant. In her short stories, she shows us her life as an immigrant Nigerian teenager, she gives evidence of her mixed feelings about her origin, culture and traditions.
To me, she is an intelligent woman because she could help a lot of people to keep their customs, culture and identity through her own experience
I really enjoyed very much the video.. I discover much more information about the writer.
ResponderEliminarChimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a very brave woman, she came from a middle class family.
I think she is a very easy to understand and very funny.
She gave an important message, just because we read something, we can´t believe that it is the only true. the cool thing, is that she put funny examples to what said it.
Also talked about humanity and discrimination.
In my humble opinion is that this is the story i enjoyed most. In fact i read my mother the crazy african like 5 or 6 times.
*** i discovered much more...
Eliminar*** i think she is very easy to understand...
*** she put funny examples to what she said. ( without the "it")
***my humble opinion is that...( without the "in")
some mistakes i made... sorry
From my point of view, Chimamanda loves to write! In spite of feeling herself as an American girl, she is defending her customs, roots and values in this video which handed down from parents to children. In addition she has a good support in her family
ResponderEliminarWell done people!!
ResponderEliminarThere are still many of you who have not commented on this post. Please, do so asap!
Grace
i really enjoyed the video...for me her english was understandable .
ResponderEliminari think that she is a just woman and very intelligent..its very interesting what she said in the interview.
in my opinion its very interesting when she talked about the humanity.
Hi, I´m sorry for the later on leaving my comment. I like this story and I think Chimamanda is an excelent writer! She is intelligent and knows like people feel interested on the story. She is in detail. The interview is clearly and funny when she says many people compare her with Mariah Carey. She has an interesting life. In conclusion, I enjoy listening to her. Thanks
ResponderEliminarI enjoy very much the intreview.She in an intelligent,amazing woman.She fights for her ideas, her English is so clear that I understand everything,what she says.
ResponderEliminarI like when her mother tells her ¨to finish her food,because other people do not have anything to eat¨.I say the same to my daughter, because it¨s reality. And when in your childhood went trought that situation, you appreciate what you have.
I liked the video very much. She is an intelligent and brave woman
ResponderEliminarI liked Chimamanda the moment I heard her! I hope you also enjoy listening to her chilhood memories back in Nigeria and the story of how she became a writer.
ResponderEliminarI enjoyed when Chimamanda told us different stories of people who pretended to know the "history". Regarding the short story I felt sorry for the young lady because she chose to forget her african origin in order to be accepted in the american society.
ResponderEliminarI thought she was beyond amazing. I would like to stand out two things: her clariry while speaking and the concept of "Single Story", which I think not only applies to African society but also to Latin American countries´, who are clearly undervalued.
ResponderEliminarYou're totally right Flor! A very good and interesting point!!
EliminarThe part I liked was when she said that 'stories can break, but can also repair'. She has the truth in her words and clearly affirmed. And another part I liked was when someone told her it was such shame a Nigerian father abuses her daughter and Chimamanda replied: 'it such shame that an American woman was serial murdered' haha, she had the right answer with a beautiful sense of humor. I admire her!. In fact I liked all the video trying to express that you can't read an single story, you can't feed yourself with only one point of view about things surrounds you. You shouldn't see the surface of reality and you have to dig deeply to see the all truth, which is incomplete as she said. And also she is right when she says that stories are about 'power' and I thought stories are power in closing or in opening people's eyes
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ResponderEliminarI think she is awesome and so sensible. It's really valuable everything she says in relation to the stereotypes and the message she shares with the audience. I completely agree with her about the importance of reading the different stories and how literature can change our minds. It's interesting to listen to her experiences and points of view as she expresses the real circumstances. I appreciate it a lot.
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ResponderEliminarThe message I take is that the word is very powerful and we should have to be careful when we use it..I mean....Is it true that poor people cannot create beautiful things? Is that so? Just for beeing poor? Or is it true that African people cannot read because they are african? Couldn´t it be more painful fot them? In "My mother, the crazy African", Cathy, (Lin´s friend) could have had her own "single story" about the Nigerian, but she wanted to get her own truth, she wanted to know more about them and she spent her time with Chika, and then she was able to form her own criterion.
ResponderEliminarWell done Gladys, Virginia, Florencia, Ma Belen, anf Marisol!! Your contribuciones have been more than interesting! Congrats on your work!
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ResponderEliminarI really enjoy it!I just love her!She's amazing!Such an inspiring remarkable storyteller.
ResponderEliminarI've never noticed the danger of the single story and the consequences of doing that. I must say,she blew up my mind.
There are stereotypes all around the world in literature, ,politics,society and it depend on us change the situation.
The danger that represents to show a people as one thing, as only one thing over and over again; it's huge! What if anybody dare to fight against stereotypes? I truly hope this never happen.
I would like to take this phrase from her speach.
...when we reject the single story, when we realize that there is never a single story about any place,we regain a kind of paradise...
There's a lot to think about.
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ResponderEliminarIt's speech instead of speach,please excuse me.
ResponderEliminarIn my opinion I liked the video a lot. She is an intelligent woman. She is absolutely amazing. She writes about the power of feminist, immigration and other topics. I think she could help a lot of people to keep their culture, identity. By the way her English is very clear. :)
ResponderEliminarI think ,she is a wonderful woman, so clear in her speech and her point of view about the history of countries or people that we don´t know .we should know more the story of someone before review.Exellent speech and a very good advice
ResponderEliminarFrom my point of view the most appealing part, is when Chimamanda says how danger is to know a single story. She added how vulnerable we are specially when we are children. And shows the conception that many people have to another without know how is really.
ResponderEliminarit´s funny how she says "literature"
ResponderEliminarGreat oratory skills. Very moving, media is very powerful and we must take care what we believe in. With the information we are given it is hard but we should not prejudice people or countries as a whole.
ResponderEliminarChimamanda seems to be an intelligent woman. I enjoy very much the interview, I completely agree with her about stories can break the dignity of people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity when we realize that there is never a single story about any place.
ResponderEliminarI really enjoyed the whole talking. She's totally right when she suggests that we should be more flexible and not believe just one part a story but also consider some other aspects to get to know those things that we didn't know about.
ResponderEliminarshe is awsome!Is very interesting her point of view about the british books and how she included in her characters more people like her.
ResponderEliminarI agree with her point of view. It's so sad the danger of having just one perspective about a person, a place or whatever. The video really helped me to understand a little bit more the short story!
ResponderEliminarIt must be difficult being a different woman in this society.
ResponderEliminarsociety full of predujices ,where a African family must adapt in the new society , new culture .
Furthermore, being an teenager , in that stage , she tries to construct her own personality
The way she spoke really touched me! People like her, who fight against the blindness caused by media, are inspiring.
ResponderEliminarWow...Yes, she's such an awesome writer. I couldn't agree with she more!I felt touched by her life story...and I admit that, due to the way The social media shows us one single side of something, I prejudiced countries and societies and I had to acknowledge that several times, it wasn't like I thought...
ResponderEliminarWow...Yes, she's such an awesome writer. I couldn't agree with she more!I felt touched by her life story...and I admit that, due to the way The social media shows us one single side of something, I prejudiced countries and societies and I had to acknowledge that several times, it wasn't like I thought...
ResponderEliminarHi, there! It´s fascinating to see how many of you have responded to this post. Differtent reactions, different feelings, different opinions.... All of them valid!
ResponderEliminarAs Chimamanda says: "There´s never a single story". And this is precisely part of what I would like you to take from this course!
I really enjoyed this video. She told about her childhod, education and economic situation of Nigeria. People usually give opinion about a country but they don't know enough about it. I think she spoke with her heart and she has given people the possibility to know Nigeria.
ResponderEliminarShe clearly explains how being discriminated feels. People shouldn't make up an opinion on someone about their appearance. Stereotypes are incomplete, a reminder before judging someone. The importance of listening and interacting with other human beings were the things that called my attention the most.
ResponderEliminarI liked the video so much. She is very clear in her speech and it's really interesting how she explains the distinct thoughts that people have about her continent. People most of the time have wrong visions from other cultures which are not true at all.
ResponderEliminarAt the end of the video she makes an excellent reflexion with the following question; What if...? I think she tries to account for the relationship between ignorance and prejudice, and also how difficult it is for some people to learn about different cultures because they are conditioned only by the information they have about them.
In my opinion, one of the best videos form the blog. As i heard her speech, i remembered all the times i did the same things. As a child i also thought that Africa was a country and all i knew about their culture was that they were extremely poor. Thankfully, when i was a bit older, i realised it was not totally that way.
ResponderEliminarEvery time i want to leave the stereotypes behind, i think about our country, our culture, our scientists, our artists, our inventions and natural resources. The conclussion is very simple, they are just like us and we are just like them.
Wow, what an enjoyable speech! She really made me think about all the times I have donde the same thing as her roommate! It is too embarrassing to admit this but I have to say I WAS ONE OF THAT PEOPLE WHO HAD STEREOTYPES not only about Africa, but some other places.
ResponderEliminarThe thing she said about single stories is so real! We rarely get any further thinking beyond that what we think it is true because we tend to get stuck in false stories that someone tell. However, if we knew the reality of things all prejudices would disappear.
Like others, I can listen to her speak for hours. Simply amazing. If she writes like she speaks, I'll try to see if I can find her novels. Truly inspiring.
ResponderEliminarPersonally I love the story! it makes me to understand many thing about immigrants people.
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