The main character of Americanah, Ifemelu, gets her blog ideas from the world around her. She observes situations and engages other people to learn their opinions on certain topics. She wants her audience to consider her takes on race on America and add their own thoughts. It is often hard to a real, honest conversation about race, and Ifemelu hope to encourage that kind of conversation on her blog. She wants her audience to really consider the issues she brings up, and the way they relate to race. For example, she mentions racial motivations underlying adoption. Ifemelu also wants to help educate other Africans who come to the United States. She was very confused by many of the traditions and customs of America, especially the view of race. Through her blog she hopes to explain these confusing aspects of American life to other Africans. The goal of her blog is two-fold. Ifemelu hopes to educate her readers about race in America, while encouraging discussion, and she hopes to educate other Africans about the complicated world of race in America.
If I could contribute to Ifemelu’s blog, I would comment on how informative her blog is. I honestly had not considered some of the things she mentions having written in her blog; such as racial motivations behind adoption. I also had not considered how confusing it must be to come to America and have to attempt to untangle the complicated web of racial relations in this country. There is so much history behind every relationship with every race in America, and coming in blind to all of the past events and prejudices between each group must be very overwhelming. I had never considered how complicated this all must be to someone who has no background knowledge. Ifemelu mentions the need for Non-American Blacks to be offended at racial slurs, even though they may not understand the background behind a word or phrase. The complexity of America’s relationship with race has never struck me quite like it did when I read about Ifemelu trying to explain it. I would comment on how informative and eye-opening her blog is.
Hey Hannah! I would say the same thing if I could comment. I would write that her blog has, in fact, informed me and that I have been educated more on race. I also comment on how it has opened my eyes. I guess I never looked at race that way before.