Popular author, Chimamanda Adichie, has received the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal, the highest honour of Harvard University, United States of America, which is awarded to individuals in the country and across the globe in recognition of their contributions to African and American cultures and the life of the mind. The award was named after American sociologist, historian and Pan-Africanist civil rights activist, William Edward Burghardt Du Bois.
Adichie received the medal at the Hutchins Centre for African and African American Research, Harvard University on Thursday.
In her acceptance speech, she said, “The meaningful thing for me as a writer is to create something that means something to other people. I hear people say my work makes them feel seen or think differently, or my work makes them feel that they are not alone. So, I am so grateful for this award because it makes me think that what I am doing matters and it is a gift.”
She also advised the young people in attendance to focus more on reading than staying on social media. She said, “For the young people who are here, if you care about anything, care about reading. Reading and books are magical.
“One of the best ways to counter the ugly tsunami of book banning in this country is to read. The only way we can answer to censorship of books is to read books. I have a suggestion for young people. Why don’t you give up social media for two, three weeks or a month and read?”
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