Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie just delivered a powerful speech on the global migrant crisis

Award-winning Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie just delivered a powerful speech on the global migrant crisis to celebrate the United Nation’s World Humanitarian day.

“Nobody is ever just a refugee,” said the novelist and non-fiction writer, delivering the keynote address at the event in New York.

“Nobody is ever just a single thing. And yet, in the public discourse today, we often speak of people as a single a thing. Refugee. Immigrant.”

A MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, Chimamanda Adichie explains that it is time for a new narrative, a narrative in which we truly see those about whom we speak.

She adds: "Let us tell a different story. Let us remember that the movement of human beings on earth is not new. Human history is a history of movement and mingling. Let us remember that we are not just bones and flesh. We are emotional beings. We all share a desire to be valued, a desire to matter. Let us remember that dignity is as important as food."

Watch this video and let us know what you think.

Compliment this article with Warsaw Shire on refugees and 6 African Literature books that perfectly capture the immigrant/refugee experience

ALSO READ: 12 Books from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s bookshelf that will make you love her even more