Duration 30:16

We should all be feminists | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | TEDxEuston

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Published 12 Apr 2013

Never miss a talk! SUBSCRIBE to the TEDx channel: http://bit.ly/1FAg8hB http://www.tedxeuston.com Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie a renowned Nigerian novelist was born in Nigeria in 1977. She grew up in the university town of Nsukka, Enugu State where she attended primary and secondary schools, and briefly studied Medicine and Pharmacy. She then moved to the United States to attend college, graduating summa cum laude from Eastern Connecticut State University with a major in Communication and a minor in Political Science. She holds a Masters degree in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins and a Masters degree in African Studies from Yale University. She was a 2005-2006 Hodder Fellow at Princeton, where she taught introductory fiction. Chimamanda is the author of Half of a Yellow Sun, which won the 2007 Orange Prize For Fiction; and Purple Hibiscus, which won the 2005 Best First Book Commonwealth Writers' Prize and the 2004 Debut Fiction Hurston/Wright Legacy Award. In 2009, her collection of short stories, The Thing around Your Neck was published. She was named one of the twenty most important fiction writers today under 40 years old by The New Yorker and was recently the guest speaker at the 2012 annual commonwealth lecture. She featured in the April 2012 edition of Time Magazine, celebrated as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. She currently divides her time between the United States and Nigeria. Intro and Outro music by Kadialy Kouyate performed at TEDxEuston 2011. You can view the full performance here: /watch/wh3LGW5DfUKDL . In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.

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Comments - 21927
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    @tesslynfrancis932210 years ago " you should aim to be successful, but not too successful, otherwise you will threaten the man" so true! I' m studying to be a lawyer and i . ...Expand 619
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    @cynthiachieze64124 years ago I' ve been told alot of times by my teachers and mentors that i' m too ambitious and i will not get married because no man will have me under their . ...Expand 2920
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    @dorcaskamau2013 years ago That' s so on point " a man who would be intimidated by me is exactly the kind of man i would not be interested in" 761
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    @TalkingMoneyWithNozi2 years ago This is the best speech i have ever listened to. I am proud to be a woman, i am proud to be african. Thank you chimamanda! 250
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    @alexandravar.36614 years ago I cannot express how much i apreciate this speech. She adresses everything that needs to be adressed, i wish more people could see this. 2443
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    @raindrops71753 years ago " we praise girls for virginity but we don' t praise boys for virginity and its always makes me wonder how exactly this is supposed to work out. . ...Expand 1251
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    @morgandaisy988110 years ago I feel sad about the way women and men are afraid to say they are feminists. Chimamanda says, " a world of happier men, and happier women who are truer . ...Expand 354
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    @african_cici3 years ago " i have chosen to no longer be apologetic for myamen and amen to that. 2405
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    @himanshisharma13102 years ago " boys and girls are undeniably different biologically. But socialization exaggerates the. 384
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    @felicitymemela19633 years ago I remember my english professor at university made us read adichie' s book called " purple hibiscus" amp; i had no interest in it or any of . ...Expand 119
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    @ilovememyselfnidw4 years ago " we have been raised to think ofwomen as inherently guilty and have been raised to expect so little of men that the idea of men as savage beings without any control is somehow. 590
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    @faelynnnn2 years ago I finally got around to watching this speech and all i want to do is scream from the rooftops, " i' ve been saying this for years! " it' s truly amazing to hear all the experiences that we as nigerian women have had to go through presented so eloquently.
    i only wish that my spirit never dies, because if there' s one thing society does best, it is to kill the spirit of anyone who dares to challenge it' s norms.
    thank you chimamanda, for this and for all you do
    .
    ...Expand 28
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    @sakeenawhite14724 years ago " culture doesn' t make people, people make culture. " i felt that! Amazing words! 6779
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    @delilah281004 years ago I love this talk. I' m not a mother yet, but thank you for this, i know how i' ll raise them empowered. 49
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    @ifunanyamolokwu61213 years ago Hands down this is one of the best ted talks i' ve had the pleasure to listen to! 38
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    @HunkyChunks3 years ago This actually made me cry. Thank you so much for your words. Beautiful and inspiring speech that i' ll have to listen to again. 31
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    @DrLucianno4 years ago Adichie can never go wrong in my eyes! I watched this two years ago and it spurs me through my feminism journey. Always fresh like a wine. 173
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    @mariettetc12 years ago I cannot tell you the number of times i have rewatched this talk. So much of what chimamanda says is so similar to indian culture. Such an inspiration. 214
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    @madisongrooters9664 years ago " a man who is intimidated by me is exactly the type of man i am not interested in" 4363
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    @romansoehuazelei19254 years ago She is very professional in delivering a fabulous talk in ted. It has been thousands times that i am listening to this speech. It is very useful and helpful thank you chimamanda,
    roman
    .
    ...Expand
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    @antoinerebut64092 years ago This speech is inspiring. A lot of what she talks about in nigeria can be applicable everywhere. I realise i' m not doing enough to support feminism. 72
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    @learningenglishwithemily7542 years ago " culture doesn' t make people, people make culture" what a wonderful words i will always remember this. 49
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    @erikquinonez11364 years ago All the speech was amazing but when she started talking about culture and said culture doesnt make us, we make culture, that line was brutal, in the good sense of the word. 50
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    @ekta97893 years ago The fact that it was 8 years ago and still very relatable is just- 360
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    @jankijan80047 years ago Frankly, i feel ashamed because i being a man, did a lot of those things that she mentioned. Now i cannot change the society but i can definitely change . ...Expand 6622
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    @chitobiobaku78313 years ago I' m a nigerian & a mother of 2 boys who are 10yrs & 7yrs respectively. My boys enjoy cooking with their dad most times and we all do the house . ...Expand 182
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    @necolebitchie4 years ago " a man who was intimidated by me, obviously, i have no interest in" love this! 108
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    @mominakhan55733 years ago At 16 i was told by a friend that no honorable man will marry me because i want to make a documentary on prostitutes. I told her that i don' t want . ...Expand 35
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    @sadiayasin62973 years ago I just discovered you. Love from somali girl. My favorite quote the point is we are not apes. 24
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    @hannguyen56372 years ago Culture doesnt make people, people make culture these words hit differently! 16
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    @kiruhduh4 years ago The problem with gender is that it prescribes to how we should be rather than recognizing how we are. 2217
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    @Stourmburn3 years ago I could watch this a hundred times and probably will! What an amazing woman! 99
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    @victoriaimagha3 years ago This speech is everything!
    simply put yet carries the message wholly.
    23
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    @patnaiksonal313 years ago Gosh, she sounded so much like she' s lived in india all her life. So much relatable. 42
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    @drizzlejolie45064 years ago I feel like im in a different world someone telling me my story life. I feel like im in a world where everything is alright and the plight of women are seen. I love this and i wish everyone would listen to this. 28
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    @Esterferreiradecastro2 years ago Amazing speech, every point she makes is so perfect and necessary, its a standing ovation for every sentence. 8
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    @saranordtvet59757 years ago " culture doesn' t make people, people make culture" 4241
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    @OneDirectionSele3 years ago Honestly i am grateful that i found this through beyonce at a young age. Without her this wouldn' t have been exposed to me when i was 12, and has stuck with me up until now. And i will continue to come back to it. 35
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    @saysophyfarm17805 months ago Ten years ago and it' s still so powerful and fresh, girl you' re amazingly talented. 5
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    @truthhurts59386 months ago This speech was inspiring and very beautiful. Africa as whole has a big role to play in dealing with such issues and i am glad to see others passionate about it. 5
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    @ikechibenedict90496 months ago Whoever that raised this woman, is a gold to this world. 9
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    @thriftysimplicity2 years ago Everytime i hear chimamanda speak i' m enriched with knowledge! I love this! 7
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    @beachdaisy40803 years ago My grandmother said there' s no such thing as a man' s job. You either can do it or you can' t. Period. 1772
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    @niffyfash66734 years ago Back in the university as an undergrad, a lecturer asked when i wanted to be married. I said after my doctoral degree. He was shocked! No, it would mean . ...Expand 147
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    @siwer60284 years ago One of the only feminsm video where i don' t lose my braincells reading the comments. Thank you guys. And amazing video. 815
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    @mj22692 years ago I love this, i love coming back to watch it, love seeing the comments who understand and appreciate. Going to ignore those that struggle to understand . ...Expand 15
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    @tintamanengu4 years ago Love chimamanda. This speech was so flawless, just like all of her talks. I will be back to watch this again, atleast a billion times. Love her so much. 9
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    @RaySimmonz3 years ago I love this! Finally something that completely resonates with my values of faminism. It' s not about invalidating men' s struggling but recognizing women' s issues. 36
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    @orin16175 years ago I' ve finally found someone who understands my anger. It really breaks my heart that a lot of women just accept that. As long as i am alive, i will keep fighting. 1859
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    @haninehassan94904 years ago Read your book before i came here. Found myself agreeing and resonating with everything you' ve written. Yes for strong women! 10
  • @
    @traci01334 years ago Watching this again made my heartyou for raising my frequency to several levels, i see the divinity in you goddess. 8
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    @mohaddesehnouri6952 years ago Oh my gosh!
    she made me cry because i loved her speach so much!
    6
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    @lavender24273 years ago When i was 10th grade, in our syllabus i had to study her speech. She is a wonderful woman. 17
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    @TheQueenshillpod2 years ago If only we can have this content simplified to all levels of intellect and broadcast throughout nigeria. What if we can re-identify the religious norms . ...Expand 15
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    @parvinbanu92034 years ago " marriage is a language of ownership rather than language of
    it strikes me!
    846
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    @reythejediladyviajakku60784 years ago Id like to hear more ted talks from her. Her messages are so powerful and true. 20
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    @cynthiachieze64124 years ago I love this lady in particular. This speech is sensational and i' m glad to have stumbled on it. 6
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    @msbnyce32144 years ago You inspire me a great deal chimamanda. Watching you brings calm to my soul. I feel so motivated that as a woman, i can do anything i put my mind to without . ...Expand 13
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    @vivreavecaudace2 years ago Absolutely brilliant! I was captivated right until the end! This is our future as a civilization, we need to change the world' s culture. 3
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    @cassandrasteingo59415 years ago We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller, we say to girls you can have ambition- but not too much, you should aim to be successful b . ...Expand 1068
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    @itnajiaga83414 years ago I love how she is feeling so human when shes talking. 32
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    @reythejediladyviajakku60784 years ago Aww! Her niece came! Such an auntie to give a shout out like that. 31
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    @aestheticanzi2 years ago One of the best ted speech not only because of her topic but also bcoz of the way she deliver it, how she make her point, how she communicate it. Its very delightful to watch her. And her voice is so powerful and so clear. 1
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    @estherkabwe27393 years ago Wow. Every person in the world needs to hear this. I appreciate your words mam. 8
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    @sderese2 years ago A powerful message to women and men all over theunder all circumstances, thank you my sister. 5
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    @divinelia59074 years ago They grown up to women who have turned pretence into an art form thats where im fine comes from. 881
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    @kerlipeterson4 years ago The best speech ive seen in youtube.
    ive shared it 2-3 times on march 8th!
    5
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    @sophienachbaur65164 years ago I wish we as women would love and support each other more instead of tearing each other down. We' ve all been socialized to see each other as the competition instead of competing against men for positions of leadership. 19
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    @virginiaferro2641last year Dear chimamanda. I just love you and admire you.
    everything you describe is just the same in my country in south america too!
    hugs from argentina.
    4
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    @ncommino4 years ago Wow this speech has really opened my eyes to a different way of thinking. 7
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    @sarah-louiserossi15865 months ago So intelligent, funny and profound. I am so grateful. 4
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    @CallMeAdamz11 years ago This reminds me of years ago, back in secondary school when a teacher divided my class into two groups for a quiz. Boys versus girls and at the end of . ...Expand 1292
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    @keariyamkebede30804 years ago ' #39; 21st centaury is different now things that is important is the more creative person, the more intelligent person and there are no hormones for definitely chimamanda ngozi adichie. ...Expand 15
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    @ebersonvargas34734 years ago T encantado, j tinha ouvido falar da chimamanda, mas nunca tinha visto ela falar. Maravilhosa! Amei! 6
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    @friendsforum77953 years ago Greatly articulated talk and happy to share things are changing rapidly, at least, seen with my friends and fraternity. I am quite optimistic for opening up greater opportunities for women across globe. 4
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    @hdshjs2 years ago Her charisma and sense of humor are outstanding. I listened totally captivated. Remarkable speach. 1
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    @lynb20392 years ago Over many years including a visit to nigeria in 2018, i believe there is something special about nigerian people, particularly nigerian women. I have seen . ...Expand 20
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    @diyguy12874 years ago I feel bad for the people who stumbled upon this video and skipped it. Or heard the first five minutes and stopped. It' s the most positive way of talking about the subject. 570
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    @Lovelynesike5 months ago 10 years later and this is still one of my favourite videos on the internet. 5
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    @godsheritage98573 years ago Listening to this in october 2021 and wondering why i am just seeing it now.
    thanks chimamanda ngozi adichie.
    4
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    @rivkavermeij3 years ago Very well-spoken, thank you for the amazing ted talk! 3
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    @kerelenis10 years ago The comment section is basically just men making this about them. 1786
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    @VermillionRedd2 years ago I swear i love my nigerian people. We always find a way to make things funny to keep people interested. 6
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    @zainabhiader58423 years ago
    .
    9
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    @lilyleighreinheart37343 years ago This is so amazing! This is life changing! 4
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    @arwa-wl7ph3 years ago This must be the most amazing ted talk i' ve ever seen. Thank you so much chimamanda. 2
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    @wawa53884 months ago Thank you chimamanda! All girls watching this felt every word. 3
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    @ilovememyselfnidw4 years ago " the problem with gender is that it prescribes how we should be rather than recognizing how we are" 292
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    @roodjy4 years ago So yeah this the most valuable video i ever seen thank you so much. 5
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    @Thecryingcanvas4 years ago The amount of papers i' ve had to write about this ted-talk, in university, gives me hope in what we' re being taught. 15
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    @baibhabi98792 years ago Every young person needs to hear this. Thank you chimamanda. 2
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    @AngelLivesMatter2 years ago Bless your soul. Thank you for understanding. wipes away tears and is speechless. 1
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    @vikramsinghjamwal2423 years ago I came across this during one of my class, my professor made us listen that, this was so much apt and deep, it' s the perfect lesson ppl of the world . ...Expand 8
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    @PascalineKelechi4 years ago Best 30 minutes of my life even after many years! 14
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    @joanneakinyi82905 months ago This is the most intelligent nigerian woman that i have ever come across. 2
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    @inachristensen8406last year This is so informative! Yes, i am happy to learn that a ' single story' could be damaging but yet rebuilding. 1
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    @feministthoughts7294 years ago From a female scientist who is uninterested in marriage, god bless you.
    edit: god loves us all equally and infinitlywe all need id="hidden36" to work to make our world a better place! If you have questions about jesus, please ask me in the replies! I' ll try my best as a fellow human!
    . ...Expand 19