THE recent media furore surrounding the “feud” between the celebrated Nigeria-born African diaspora writers Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Akwaeke Emezi conflates issues too easily.
The very public disagreement began when Adichie presented her views on transgender women – or transwomen – in an interview in 2017. Rather than affirm their status as women, Adichie stated that “transwomen are transwomen”.
Emezi, once mentored by Adichie, responded with hurt and anger amid accusations that Adichie is transphobic – prejudiced against transgender people.
The latest public disagreement between them on the issue was triggered by Adichie’s reflections on her website.
The post was about what she viewed as the unethical behaviour of and crossing of personal and professional boundaries by former (unnamed) mentees.
It appeared to be a deeply personal, indeed bitter, lament on strained and broken relations.
Emezi responded with biting social media comments, saying the essay was “designed to incite hordes
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