US Activist to Chimamanda: Go and Concentrate on Nigeria’s Problems

Shola Oyeyipo

Dana Loesch, a United States spokesperson on gun ownership and the Second Amendment, has dissed a Nigerian novelist, Chimamanda Adichie for attempting to redefine chivalry as a concept, and therefore advised her to concentrate on Nigeria’s problems.

In her view, Chimamanda would do better by dissipating her energy on the many ills in her country, Nigeria, citing particularly the disturbing rate of genital mutilation.

Loesch, who responded to Chimamanda’s appearance on the Today Show, where she spoke against what people consider acts of chivalry, which in her opinion was subtle sexism, said Chmamanda’s position exposed her limited understanding of the idea of chivalry.

While on the Today Show, Chimamanda had said, “I think gestures like holding the door shouldn’t be gender-based. I’m quite happy for people to hold the door for me. But I hope they’re not doing it because of this sort of idea of chivalry.

“Because chivalry is really about the idea that women are somehow weak and need protecting. But we know that really, there are many women who are stronger than many men.”

However, convinced that Chimamanda did not understand the concept of chivalry, Loesch said she should focus more on the ills in her nation such as genital mutilation.

“I don’t think she understands quite the concept of chivalry, which was a code of conduct for gentlemen. With all due respect to Chimamanda – and I’m familiar with her – I think it’s a luxury of third-way feminism to complain about holding doors open for people, where her country, Nigeria, ranks top in the world for female genital mutilation, which I think is far more of a disservice to women and far more suppressive than someone courteously opening the door for someone else.”