Most Meaningful Takeaway - Chinua Achebe

Before I begin with my explanation of my "most meaningful takeaway" I would like to highlight the importance of this novel to me. In the beginning, I really did not enjoy the novel and found it hard to read, but after studying it further in class, I have come to take a liking to its meaning and hidden context. As a black african, I can understand the themes and concepts Chinua Achebe discusses in the interview and "Things Fall Apart", and commend him for writing an important counter-narrative piece of literature for both Africa and the World.


In his interview with 'The Atlantic', Chinua Achebe provided a plethora of opinions and ideas on topics that range from his novels to the state of African countries and its politics.

“The people who consume the news that comes back from the rest of the world are probably not really interested in hearing about something that is working”

The following quote in the interview mentioned, undoubtedly resonated with me the most. The quote explains how the 'common people' in most typically western cultures consume only the news that revolves around controversy and hardship. Chinua talks about how Africa has been portrayed as a whole in bad light surrounding the media with walls of pictures and articles revolving some of their issues such as poverty and corruption. The following statement just proves the ignorance that is embedded into a majority of Westerners. With that, I can say that this ignorance is purely disgusting toward the human race and cannot be tolerated. 

The creators of this media and news are Westerners and have quite literally viewed Africa in one light and essentially are 'Tunnel Visioning'. The feeling of supremacy of white westerners resonates not only within them, but within these people as they are felt as if they are being mistreated and discriminated. This quote is an eye-opener and really DOES show that the majority of the world are exactly what Chinua Achebe described. One opinion, One view, One perspective, but not One Unified World.