Five Points on the Adichie-Emezie spat

A screenshot of a magazine headline about Chimamanda Adichie

Oris Aigbokhaevbo drops five brief points on the Adichie-Emezie controversy that has played out following the release of Adichie’s essay on how fellow writers have taken advantage of her openess, and subsequently resurfaced critique of her stance on transgender issues
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While all of this wahala with Adichie’s essay swirls and swirls, let’s take the opportunity to throw some shade. Clears throat.

All of these people that are now claiming writer that we’ve never even seen a post from, we see you. Claim the position now that it looks fancy; afterwards, write something we can enjoy without the benefit of sensational news.

Pa Ikhide has once again used this matter to attack all that is Nigerian and literary. Na wa. He says Nigerian writers should avoid MFAs and write just write. Ask him if you can take that advice to our inflation-blasted markets. One of the lessons to learn from case 2 in Adichie’s essay is the importance of strategy. Just don’t be uncharitable like them. And FYI “write just write” isn’t a strategy for survival in Nigeria. If it were, Pa would have stayed back in a better Nigeria and write just write. God knows he’s a better writer than you are. Feel free to write but also think! If an MFA would rescue you, abeg don’t avoid it. Except in rare cases, Nigerian Writer in Nigeria and Penniless Writer are exactly the same thing.

All the Adichie haters trying to twist their hot takes to fit their beef, we see you. Fact is, many writerly people have issues with Adichie or her politics; it comes with the territory of her exalted position. But try and try to “judge” this wahala without your hateration. You haven’t done so, so far. Try harder.

There are probably people who now know there is something called a writing community in Nigeria based on this issue. I’m yet to decide if that’s a good or bad thing.

5. Look at this fine photo and silly headline: