Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Changing men and opening doors
By Sherie Ryder
BBC UGC and Social News
- Published

Nigerian novelist and storyteller Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's appearance on US TV programme The Daily Show has seen thousands of people commenting on the role of men within feminism, and when to hold open a door for somebody or not.
Since talking to the show's host Trevor Noah on Thursday evening about why men are important for the feminist movement, Adichie has been trending on Twitter in Nigeria, with reaction to her remarks tweeted over 41,000 times at time of writing.
"Men have to be on board," said Adichie. "Because we share the world."
“Men have to be on board. You can change women all you want — if you don’t change men, nothing changes. Because we share the world.”
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) June 7, 2018
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explains why men are important for the feminist movement: https://t.co/6VPXNGVq7w pic.twitter.com/nRMuQGvDgO
As the author of Why We Should All Be Feminists, published in 2014 and based on her TED talk in 2012 which has been viewed more than 1.7 million times, her comments should not be a surprise.
However, many people have responded to Adichie's comments on etiquette between genders.
Adichie explained she was happy for people to hold the door for her but hoped "they're not doing it for this idea of chivalry," as it could imply weakness on the woman's part. However, Nigerian student Tade Derhbi suggested: "Hold the door for everyone. It's plain courtesy".
We are entitled to our various opinions but this is just plain sense. Hold the door for everyone. The weak, the Old, the young, females and males. It's plain courtesy. #ChimamandaNgoziAdichie pic.twitter.com/1kRronwaGS
— ♊ June 11♊ (@TadeDerhbi) June 7, 2018
One fan of Adiche's work, Chabala Kapoya, also disagreed with the author about doors being opened for her, saying she is not weak but it was "really nice and cute when someone does it".
I love Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie her work is amazing. But listen I still want doors to be opened for me. No I’m not weak and no you don’t have to do it. But it’s just really nice and cute when someone does it.
— Aubrey’s Angel 🦉 (@ChabalaKapoya) June 8, 2018
Nigerian lawyer Rotimi Ibitoye said Adichie was going through a "Kanye phase" by "rebelling against the status quo," and pointed out that even animals have gender roles: "A female lion hunts for food and the male protects the pride".
Chimamanda is going through a Kanye phase. A stage in your life where you just want to rebel against the status quo. It's normal with creatives, but pls apply sense. Even animals have gender roles, it is innate. A female lion hunts for food and the male protects the pride.
— Rotimi Ibitoye (@Timi_Toye) June 7, 2018
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Onye Nku applauded Adichie for saying chivalry was sexist, and describes her as "an icon."
Chimamanda is not the first feminist to say that chivalry is sexist. We been knew that already.
— Onye Nkụ (@TheNnanna) June 7, 2018
I just love how she talks about even the most basic feminist ideals and it becomes a hot topic.
An icon.
Meanwhile, Nigerian blogger Ivie summarised what was discussed in the interview, but said the media would distort Adichie's points.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie talked about several things during her Daily Show interview: 1. How men can be better feminist allies. 2. How influential men like Barack Obama are vocal in support of feminism. 3. Her experience as a mum bringing up her child.
— Ivie (@ivysoclassy) June 8, 2018
Media: Adichie hates men.
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