Ifemelu and Obinze's White Masks and Black Skins: Politics of Gender and Color in Adichie's Americanah

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah intricately explores the racial identities of its protagonists, Ifemelu and Obinze, shedding light on the complexities of their experiences as black individuals navigating different cultural contexts. Drawing on Frantz Fanon's concept of "white masks" and "black skin," this paper delves into the ways in which Ifemelu and Obinze navigate their racial identities in the novel. Indeed, Frantz Fanon's concept of "white masks" refers to the ways in which colonized individuals adopt the cultural norms and values of the colonizer, often at the expense of their own identities. Fanon argues that colonialism imposes a sense of inferiority on colonized peoples, leading them to internalize the beliefs and attitudes of the colonizer, thereby masking their true selves. Besides, the study portrays gender roles and power dynamics; hence, it explores how characters challenge or conform to societal expectations based on gender. The study also spotlights the implications of these dynamics on relationships, career aspirations, and personal agency. The politics of color are shown in the way black characters are confronting or internalizing racial stereotypes, discrimination, and privilege.
 
Keywords: Fanon- gender-color- black skin- white mask- blackness-interracial relationships.