“We Should All Be Feminists”

• Genre: Nonfiction; essay
• Originally Published: 2014
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 940L; grades 9-12; college/adult
• Structure/Length: Approx. 64 pages; approx. 51 minutes on audio
• Central Concern: Adapted from the popular December 2012 TEDx-Talk of the same name, the author’s discussion of modern feminism is founded on her personal experiences as well as her study and critical view of sexual politics.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Binary understanding of sex and gender; gender equality; feminism

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Author

• Bio: Born in 1977 in Enugu, Nigeria; lost family members and family possessions during the Nigerian Civil War; attended the University of Nigeria before arriving in the US to study at Drexel University in Philadelphia and the Eastern Connecticut State University; later attended Johns Hopkins University for creative writing; awarded 16 honorary degrees from prestigious colleges and universities and earned the Macarthur Fellowship “Genius grant” honor (2008); inspired and influenced by Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe; has given several TEDx talks on cultural understanding, feminism, and the influence of background and history on individuals
• Other Works: Purple Hibiscus (2003); Half of a Yellow Sun (2006); Americanah (2013)
• Awards: The Amelia Bloomer Book List (2016)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:

• Small Injustices
• Gendered Expectations
• The Real Meaning of Feminism

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will: