Thursday, January 14, 2010

Chimamanda Adichie on Nigerian "terror"
An excellent interview with prize-winning Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie was aired yesterday on the National Public Radio program "Tell Me More." Like other Nigerians living in the diaspora, Ms. Adichie expresses shock and surprise that an action such as this would have been carried out by one of her countrymen. She highlights many of the topics which have dominated discussion among Nigerians since the event, including most of those which have been discussed and debated in the blogosphere.


My favorite comment from Ms. Adichie would have to be her challenge to Nigerians to admit that Farouk Abdul Mutallab is indeed one of them. She notes that were he to have achieved some great success such as a scientific discovery or sports victory, there would have been no issue of the time which he spent abroad detracting from his true nationality. I also agree with Ms. Adichie, however, when she faults the media for overemphasizing Nigeria as a center or source for the anit-western ideology which the underwear bomber espoused.


Readers of this blog who are not otherwise familiar with Chinamamba Adichie should certainly check out an earlier interview from December 21st on the BBC program "The Interview" with Carrie Gracie. Her books are wonderful reading experiences whether you have ever been to Nigeria or have any interest in doing so or not. Although she writes about universal themes, there have never been questions raised about her being Nigerian.

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