We Should All Be Feminists

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Explain the meaning of the term “intersectional feminism” in your own words. Consider what the word “intersectional” adds to the simpler term “feminism.” How does the lens of intersectional feminism support the fight for equality?

Teaching Suggestion: This question situates students in the thematic context of Adichie’s essay, while introducing a new lens to the discussion of feminism. Based on the level of the class, students may or may not be familiar with the term “intersectional feminism,” a lens that notes how individuals may experience multiple forms of inequality and discrimination simultaneously, such as race, social class, etc. In this vein, the Small Injustices that women can experience may be compounded based on other forms of discrimination, such as race and social class. Kimberlé Crenshaw first coined the term in 1989 to challenge notions that Black women did not experience multiple forms of discrimination, particularly in the context of legal rights. You may consider sharing this definition to allow students to explain it in their own words or create their own examples based on observations of society.

Proponents of intersectional feminism believe that by understanding how inequalities and discrimination are intertwined, as opposed to siloed, humanity can take more cohesive measures in fighting inequality. Depending on your students’ backgrounds, this short answer might work best as an in-class discussion on the definition of intersectional feminism, which can segue into independent research for answering the prompt.

• United Nations Women’s 2020 article discusses the timely importance of intersectional feminism in post-COVID-19 society.
• The International Women’s Development Agency’s 2018 article provides a succinct explanation of the meaning as well as history of intersectional feminism.

2. Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s essay focuses on her observations related to feminism and gender roles in both the United States and Nigeria. Consider how gender is perceived between these two countries. What is the most common understanding of gender roles in the US? How does this understanding differ from the country of Nigeria?

Teaching Suggestion: Outside research may be needed to guide responses and support students’ understanding of the geographical context of the essay. Based on her multinational experience, Adichie draws her examples and content from interactions in both countries. While her anecdotal evidence differs based on whether her experience took place in Nigeria or the US, Adichie does not focus her essay on comparing gendered roles and norms between the two countries. Rather, she is more concerned with highlighting general observations related to the Gendered Expectations that women experience globally.

• This 2017 article from Pew Research Center, published approximately 5 years after the author’s original talk, highlights views on how the US has progressed in matters of gender equality, and might open discussion on the topic of more recent progress or lack of progress.
• The 2021 article “Understanding Gender Issues in Nigeria” by Olonade et al. uses policies from the Nigerian government as a case study in the broader discussion of gender and development.

Short Activity

According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, “feminism” is defined as the “belief in and advocacy of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes expressed especially through organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests.”

Pretend you are tasked with updating Merriam-Webster’s definition of “feminism.” What would you add or change to update this definition, and why? What can or should remain the same, and why? What would you base your edits on (e.g., popular perspectives in media, academic articles, etc.)?

Work in groups to create a new definition to be shared with the class. Feel free to include contemporary interpretations of the term in your definitions, and be sure to cite sources in your definition.

Teaching Suggestion: This activity encourages students to critically think about their own understanding of feminism. Adichie highlights the fact that feminism possesses negative connotations in society; however, the official definition of the word focuses on equality through action. Furthermore, this definition encourages students to consider whether one must participate in “organized activity” in order to be considered a feminist. Students should be prepared to explain their reasoning behind the changes and/or additions they made to the definition. This activity links to the theme The Real Meaning of Feminism.

• Merriam-Webster’s definition of “feminism”

Differentiation Suggestion: For more advanced classes, this Short Activity can be amended to incorporate group work that requires students to analyze different definitions and perceptions of feminism, both positive and negative, in media throughout the 20th century. In this vein, groups can present their research and come together as a class to discuss the evolution of the term, as well as how different media personalities affect its general understanding in society.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the story.

How do you understand the concept of gender? Do traditional ideas of masculinity and femininity fit into your personal concept of gender? Why or why not?

Teaching Suggestion: This question encourages students to consider what gender means for themselves. Adichie’s essay focuses on a very binary understanding of gender and sex, where women identify as “female” and men identify as “male.” Depending on a student’s gender identification, they might not find these arguments to be compelling for their own understanding of gender. If this is the case, students should be urged to contextualize this essay historically (2012) and geographically (Nigeria/US). You may also consider pointing out that, since writing this essay, Adichie has received backlash and criticism for what some consider to be anti-trans comments. Content Warning: Some students might find this question difficult if they are experiencing gender dysphoria. For more information, including support mechanisms, outside resources like the one below may serve as a starting point.

• This article offers information regarding gender dysphoria.