How to have a conversation about race

 Throughout Americanah, Adichie characterizes “hot topics” surrounding race with different interactions the characters face and experiences each of them lives through. From these interactions, the reader can become more aware of the oppression that American Blacks (and Blacks in general) are subject to, which non-Blacks are blind to. Focusing on Ifemelu’s blog post that was read aloud at a dinner party, the reader gets one of the only suggestions about what non-Blacks should do to handle the problems of racism ingrained into society – “[t]ry listening” (406). What does this look like? Even in the book, Ifemelu and the other characters never face an interaction where race isn’t a root conflict. Adichie shows what not to do in situations concerning race.

The first example from her blog post is telling American non-Blacks to “not eagerly bring up examples from your own life” while an American Black is sharing “an experience about being black” (403). Often, non-Blacks try to relate to the problems American Blacks face to forge an artificial connection of shared suffering that couldn’t be further from the truth because they are not black. The connection the non-Black is trying to form is not to the benefit of ending racism but to comfort themselves into feeling less guilty that they are in the group holding the power and keeping racism instilled in society.

Second, non-Blacks must acknowledge that racism is still prevalent today. In the same blog post, Ifemelu states that slavery ending doesn’t mark the end of racism. Instead, “[w]e are talking about problems from the 1960s, not the 1860s. If you meet an elderly American Black man from Alabama, he probably remembers when he had to step off the curb because a white person was walking past” (405). This common myth must be accepted as such—a myth. When it is accepted as a truth, a roadblock is placed in the middle of any progress that could be made toward alleviating racism. A non-Black who agrees with this as truth will no longer listen to a Black who is sharing any experience where race is the problem. This mental roadblock steers away from any possible connection because the conversation leads to the Black not being heard and the non-Black trying to leave the conversation guilt-free.

So, what is the best course of action? Ifemelu says listening but never fully expands into the solution. While this is easier said than done, the conversations that must occur and be listened to have to be done so without the status of the non-Black. Ifemelu writes at the end of her blog, "…remember that it's not about you. American Blacks are not telling you that you are to blame” (406). During conversations about race, non-Blacks make it about themselves, and when that takes place, the discussion is no longer productive. There is no right way, but there are many wrong ways, to conduct a conversation about race.