The Use of Social Media and Blogging in Americanah: Analyzing Ifemelu’s Blog as a Platform for Exploring Race, Identity, and Belonging

In Americanah, Ifemelu’s blog, “The Non-American Black,” becomes a key tool for the exploration of race, identity, and belonging. Through her blog posts, Ifemelu articulates her thoughts on race in America, offering a critical, sometimes humorous, perspective on the complexities of being black in the U.S. while also navigating the challenges of being an African immigrant.

Ifemelu’s blog is more than just a personal outlet; it becomes a platform through which she can challenge and critique societal norms about race, class, and identity. Her blog posts serve as a form of resistance against the social pressures that attempt to define who she is based on stereotypes and assumptions. They also help her process her own experiences of alienation, offering her—and the readers—a space to explore the nuances of race and identity in a deeply divided society.

Adichie uses Ifemelu’s blog to reflect on the power of social media as a platform for marginalized voices to engage in public discourse. The blog becomes a tool for self-expression and a way for Ifemelu to reclaim her voice in a world where she often feels voiceless.