I respectfully disagree with this take. Yvonne Orji is doing a great job of mining her life as a Nigerian American. As a Nigerian who came to the US in the 80s, and as a dad of four millennials, I totally see my children in her, and me in her parents. Many rivers run through us.
Yvonne Orji improves upon our story. I think of Trevor Noah. She goes to Nigeria and joshes around respectfully on the streets and with her parents, she talks about our drive for excellence. Her accent and interpretations are a product of her lived experience since birth.
Exaggeration is a tool effectively used in comedy and drama to drive home points. Yvonne is the sum of her experience, as a comedy buff, I was taken by how good she is, how she is in control of the stage and of the audience. Her passion, energy and intellect won me over.
Have you read “African literature” lately? #SingleStory Yvonne focuses on what my millennial kids would say and do in our home, and it’s quite funny. Our four kids were born here and it’s hilarious watching them mimic their parents. Yvonne has millions of us as a paying audience.
I have to say, having visited Nigeria this past December, having been on the streets, witnessing the deprivation that came with democracy since 1999, there’s not much to recommend to folks there. It’s a huge mess, and it says a lot about Yvonne that she tried to be respectful.👏🏽
Today’s “African literature” with its hustle culture hawks the single story more than any other. It is refreshing to have someone with depth and empathy who improves upon the poverty porn story that is much of African writing. Kudos to Yvonne Orji for improving upon the silence.
Yvonne Orji has a commanding stage presence, chemistry with the audience (she has you feeding off her hands), and great knowledge of the subject matter she’s riffing off of. She reads, thinks, and acts beautifully. Many African writers could learn a thing or two from her, lol!
By the way, go to YouTube, search for “Nigerian parents” and all Yvonne is doing is there for free. Our kids born here in Babylon are having fun processing their anxieties at our expense. In cute stilted accents. It is important that they be allowed to tell their stories!😍
Finally, no one should place upon themselves the burden of speaking for Africa. Africa is a continent, for heaven’s sake. Just tell your own story and consumers like us will judge what to buy or bin. Yvonne’s comedy routine is beyond just Africa. It’s about living. And loving.👏🏽
Here’s the thread of what I said yesterday after watching the show on HBO
This is my daughter @lusekate_ telling her own story today on Twitter. She was born here, 25 years ago this 4th of July. If you know, you know! They insist on telling their stories. Good for them! 🤣
