America Quote by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
““As they walked out of the store, Ifemelu said, “I was waiting for her to ask ‘Was it the one with two eyes or the one with two legs?’ Why didn’t she just ask ‘Was it the black girl or the white girl?’” Ginika laughed. “Because this is America. You’re supposed to pretend that you don’t notice certain things.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, 2013
The quote highlights how people in America often avoid naming race directly, using indirect language to ignore racial differences.
In simple terms: People hide racial references with vague language.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and name racial issues directly.
Themes
race
identity
social norms
communication
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
observational
social commentary
When to use this quote
- interpersonal conversations
- media analysis
- diversity training
- social research
Key Concepts
racial coding
social avoidance
American social dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does indirect language affect racial awareness?
- What are the consequences of not naming race?
A Different Perspective
Avoiding direct language can perpetuate denial of racism.
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
