Tag: Provocation

Immigration and Marriage

In chapter 23 of Americanah, Obinze makes a deal with these Angolans to set up a green card marriage with a girl named Cleotilde. She was a UK citizen and Obinze’s visa just expired. He decides to marry a stranger to be able to gain UK citizenship. If an immigrant marries a citizen of that country then they are able to obtain citizenship for that country. Obinze goes to the London building to register for a marriage license and woman walks by saying, “Look how crowded this place is. It’s all sham marriages, all of them…” (Adichie 286). This worried Obinze because what he was doing was a scam to get his citizenship and what the woman was saying was true.

I chose this section because it is so interesting how this is very common everywhere. But, Obinze’s case was unfortunate in the end and does happen to other immigrants. There are many options to obtain a green card and I find it crazy how many people cheat the system to be able to obtain green card status. Many immigrants who have American children can sponsor their parents but that’s a long process waiting for the child to turn 21. So, it does make sense for many to go for marriage since it’s a quicker process.

Do you think marriage to obtain citizenship should be allowed? Do you think there should be certain limitations or checks for marriages?

“Chapter 23.” Americanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie et al., Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial, 2017, pp. 281–291.

Americanah Provocation – Group 3

In Chapter 27 of Americanah, Obinze left the bookshop and made his way to the tube station. When he sat down on the tube, he noticed a woman opposite of him reading the evening paper, which was titled “Speak English at home, Blunkett tells immigrants” (Adichie 320). Obinze notes that many articles regarding immigration in the British Isles were being published, which instilled fear in citizens about asylum seekers trying to come into their country. The text states:

“[S]o articles were written and read, simply and stridently, as though the writers lived in a world in which the present was unconnected to the past, and they had never considered this to be the normal course of history: the influx into Britain of black and brown people from countries created by Britain” (Adichie 320).

These writers were failing to acknowledge that Britain once ruled the countries that these immigrants were coming from, and citizens were acting as if they should be fearful of the immigrants’ attempts to settle into their country. Obinze believes that the citizens denying the history of their country had to be comforting for them because they were failing to acknowledge that these immigrants we once part of British rule.

Why would the citizens rather deny the past and become fearful of immigrants seeking to come into their country, instead of feeling compassion and empathy for the immigrants trying to make a better life for themselves?

Works Cited

Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. Americanah, Anchor Books, A Division of Random House LLC, New York, 2013, p. 317-321.

Americanah Provocation Chapter 37

I have chosen Chapter 37 of Adichie’s Americanah. In this section, a conversation arises between Ifemelu, along with other characters Shan, Grace, Ashanti, Blaine, and Maribelle. The six discuss novels and the difference between black and white writers. One topic that came up was about having labels in America. Ifemelu then wrote a blog post titled Is Obama Anything but Black? One part of the post that actually stood out to me the most was when she says “In America, you don’t get to decide what race you are. It is decided for you” (Adichie 418).

Many immigrants want to come to America in hopes of creating a better life or themselves. But in terms of race, it can be difficult to do so because of who you are. Do you agree with the quote about having racial labels in America? If, so why do you think it’s like this in our country?

Adichie, Chimamanda, N. Americanah. Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial, 2017.

Americanah Provocation

In chapter 30 of “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the character Obinze is getting ready to marry Cleotilde for his green card. On the way to the civic center, Obinze is stopped by the police and is told that he can no longer stay in the UK. The policeman put Obinze in handcuffs and take him to a detention center. I chose this section of the book because these scenes demoralize immigrants and make them feel small. When Obinze tells the lawyer in the detention center that he is willing to leave, the lawyer checks off a form that says his client was willing to be “removed”. The text says that the word “removed” made obinze feel, “inanimate. A thing to be removed. A thing without breath and mind. a thing” (Adichie 345). The chapter further describes Obinzes’ experiences being deported back to Nigeria. In the end, he eventually arrives back in Lagos to be picked up by his mother.

Does the fact that Obinze was an illegal immigrant justify how poorly he was treated in the deportation process? Why or why not?

Adichie, Chimamanda. Americanah. Anchor Books, A Division of Random House LLC. New York. 2013. pp. 342-351.

Americanah Provocation Chapter 31

In chapter 31 Ifemelu is at a dinner party in Manhattan discussing politics with Blaine’s friends. At the event, a Haitian woman had mentioned that she was eager to have a black man as the president of the United States because she felt he had the power to end racism. Ifemelu’s rebuttal was “The only reason you say that race was not an issue is because you wish it was not. We all wish it was not. But it’s a lie. I came from a country where race was not an issue, I did not think of myself as black and I only became black when I came to America” (Adichie 359).

Ifemelu then emphasized that interracial dating has not improved throughout time because it’s now legal. Ifemelu wanted to convey to Blaine’s friends that there should not have been restrictions on interracial dating at all.

Although Ifemelu was not entitled to speak on another woman’s experience with interracial dating. We are consciously able to see the racial privilege that Curt has, and Ifemelu doesn’t. To demonstrate, Curt made a few phone calls and found Ifemelu a job. Curt threatened an Asian woman to do Ifemelu’s eyebrows. Finally, Curt and Ifemelu went into a restaurant together and the host asked Curt if he was dining alone. With that being said, when or what age did you notice the racial divide in America?

“Chapter 31.” Americanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Anchor Books, A Division of Random House LLC, New York, 2013, pp. 355-369.

Americanah Chapter 14 Provocation

In Chapter 14, Ifemelu gives her perspective on American college, where she says it is easy. She observed how Americans were taught to “always say something in class, no matter what.” (Adiche, 164). She saw the students sat comfortablely in class, acting like they know, nothing of “the subject. . . but of how to be in the classes.” (Adiche, 164). Ifemelu observes how in American college, students answer in a way that implies that they had the possibility of knowledge. No one gave direct instructions, rather with the possibility that there was another option, even if there wasn’t one. When something bad would happen to someone, another person would always say ‘Oh, it’s not your fault.” She also observed how excited everyone was about everything.

I think this paragraph is intriguing, especially for me personally after going to college for almost four years. I felt this observation of Ifemelu lines up with how I personally have seen people acting in college. However, Ifemelu brings a different perspective for us to consider because she grew up in Nigeria. 

What does this observation imply that Americans value in education, success, and life?

 

“Chapter 14.” Americanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Anchor Books, A Division of Random House LLC, New York, 2013, pp. 164-165.

Americanah: Visa Restrictions

In Chapter 2 of Adichie’s Americanah, Obinze briefly touched on the accessibility of visas for foreigners to travel to countries such as the United States. In many countries, specifically populations that are predominately white, traveling to other countries around the world is as easy as just buying an airplane ticket and showing their passports at customs. Meanwhile, the citizens of the countries that they visit are restricted the same privilege and opportunity. They go through interviews, background checks, and pay large amounts of money just to be considered to receive a tourist visa. In Obinze’s earlier situation, he was not wealthy and got denied a visa. It wasn’t until he had money and moved upward in society, he was granted one. It states “He had been refused a visa years ago, when he was newly graduated and drunk with American ambitions, but with his new bank statements, he easily got a visa” (Adichie 33).

Americans have the privilege to travel anywhere in the world without the same restrictions that the United States and many European countries impose on foreigners. U.S. citizens can book a flight to Nigeria with only their blue passports, while Obinze and many people from “underdeveloped countries” go through extensive processes just to be considered to acquire a visa, and often be rejected or take months to years to acquire.

Should first world countries, such as the United States, have the ability to travel freely while the people of the country they visit undergo expensive and stringent processes?

 

Sources

“Chapter 2.” Americanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Anchor Books, A Division of Random House LLC, New York, 2013, pp. 23-44.

Americanah Provocation

Provocation Assignment

In Chapter 11 of Americanah, Ifemelu is adjusting to her new life in America, and notices her Aunty Uju has changed to “fit in” in America. A section in the book that made me take a step back and think about how closed- minded Americans are is when Aunty Uju says:

“I have to take my braids out for my interviews and relax my hair… If you have braids, they will think you are unprofessional.” “So there are no doctors with braided hair in America?” Ifemelu asked. I have told you what they told me. You are in a country that is not your own. You do what you have to do if you want to succeed.” There it was again, the strange naivete with which Aunty Uju had covered herself like a blanket. Sometimes, while having a conversation, it would occur to Ifemelu that Aunty Uju had deliberately left behind something of herself, something essential, in a distant and forgotten place (Adichie 146).

Ifemelu has noticed that Aunty Uju has left behind some of her Nigerian roots to try to adapt to American culture, even by changing her hair. Aunty Uju believes that she must fit in with the American culture in order to find a job or success in America. Ifemelu seems annoyed by her aunt changing herself to fit in, but she is still new to America and she has not experienced as much pressure to fit in as her Aunty Uju does.

Americans are obsessed with their appearance, and they feel they have to change  to be happy or find success. Many employers openly admit to accounting for an applicants appearance (as in the clothes they are wearing, their hairstyle, if they are wearing makeup, etc.) during the hiring process. Do you think that during the hiring process someones appearance plays just as large of a role as their actual qualifications or abilities?

Sources

“Chapter 11.” Americanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Anchor Books, A Division of Random House LLC, New York, 2013, pp. 141–158.

 

 

The Suit Maketh the Man: Americanah’s emphasis on appearance in Chapters 1 and 2

I find it interesting that this novel almost immediately begins with one of the protagonists, Ifemelu, watching people. While it is rather mundane activity, it becomes a recurring theme of the first two chapters. On page 4, Ifemelu assumes that the older white man she is next to is professor, for no other reason than his relative location and the way he styles his hair. Additionally, she is on her way get her hair restyled, as a way to change her appearance. In chapter 2 Obinze also seems to have a focus on appearance, mainly in how he is perceived. On page 33 he notes he just had to” drive to a gate in his BMW and the gate-man would salute and open it for him, without asking questions.”. Or when he went to America for the first time and the immigration official was confused that he didn’t have much to declare as “Nigerians like you [declare] thousands and thousands of dollars all the time.” (p.33). Why is that this is the case? Why do the characters of this novel have such a fixation on outward appearance? And why are some so surprised when their expectations do not match the person?

Provocation Assignment

Throughout the semester you will notice “provocation” assignments built into our syllabus. These tasks are often broken into groups and correspond to longer works of fiction. Provocations are meant to provide context and support for your student-led discussions in class.

If you are in charge of posting a provocation you must:

  • Read the assigned text very closely and annotate it thoroughly.
  • Choose one section of the text you found most interesting/problematic/controversial/stimulating and summarize it in 5-7 sentences.
  • You should use at least one direct quote in this summary with an MLA citation.
  • Construct a complex question for your classmates to answer about that section of the text that will spark a lively debate.

If you are in charge of posting a response, you should:

  • Read the assigned text very closely and annotate it thoroughly.
  • Read ALL of the provocations from the previous group (for example: Group 2 responses to Group 1, Group 4 response to Group 3)
  • Write a thorough, well-researched response that follows the provocation model. In other words, your response needs to have a citation as evidence of your point, and ask a clarifying question at the end.
  • You must respond to at least two of the provocations. 

This is intended to create dialogue.

On the blog, you will post your provocations and responses BEFORE class time as indicated on the syllabus. ONLY post when your group is listed on the syllabus. Use the category and tag provided by your professor for each post.

These posts will be graded on a 5 point scale:

  • 5points= An engaging, thought-provoking post that shows attention to detail and comprehension of the text. Grammar and mechanics must be practically perfect (edit carefully!). Direct evidence from the text with a citation must be included.
  • 4points = An accurate summary and well-composed question that may contain a small, but not catastrophic, misreading or errors in grammar and mechanics.
  • 3points= A sloppy post that shows little effort and does not include the elements listed above.
  • 2points= A post that is a day late, or difficult to read, or phrased in a way that students would be unable to respond.
  • 1point= A post that is a week late, contains numerous errors, and does not contribute to the conversation.
  • 0points= The post does not exist.

Please create these summaries and questions yourself: DO NOT STEAL OTHER PEOPLES WORK. If I find you have plagiarized these posts you will be reported. If you are struggling please come see me or email me with questions.