Adichie has spoken her strong beliefs on the impact of race, nationality, and hair, on a person's experience in a new country. She speaks to her own experiences through Ifemelu and describes some of the hardships that Africans face in a society where they don't feel like they can fit in. Ifemelu doesn't relate to her fellow Africans or the African American culture in America and she sometimes feels lost. It's a story that many African Americans, Africans, and other immigrants can relate to and have shared some similar experiences. However, it is not a story or experience that many white women or men can share or say they have experienced. So this raised the question to me: How can a white male relate to a story about the struggles and tribulations of a black immigrant women? The short answer is that you can't, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. It has become increasingly evident in today's society that intersectionality is a growing concern for many people in underprivileged communities. Adichie suggests that the answer to solving this problem is to listen to the story of these individuals and to open your ears and hearts. This seems like the only logical way to try and get an American society where everyone is truly equal in every aspect. A common concern for white Americans is that "we can't understand, we haven't experienced something like this". This is a common misconception, understanding doesn't have to come from experience. Adichie challenges white Americans to listen and not try and make it about themselves, you don't need to have the experience. This seems to be Curt's problem throughout the novel, he feels that he can't understand because he has never experienced it. Curt has lived a privileged life with very few barriers to his opportunities so he feels he can't relate to the experiences Ifemelu has. He makes many strides to help her such as the experience at the hair salon and the dinner party but he doesn't do more than help. We see multiple white Americans throughout the novel such as Curt and Kimberly treat their interactions with the underprivileged as charity. Kimberly is a perfect example of hearing but not listening, she hears Ifemelu but doesn't make an effort to make Ifemelu feel heard. These two characters personify how Adichie feels about the American society and how they treat the underprivileged communities. Her call to action is for Americans to listen and try to understand, even though it may seem impossible. Complete understanding may be impossible but it is our job to listen and create an open environment for those that feel alone. Loneliness is something that almost anyone can relate to, so that is how white people can relate to African immigrants. While we may have never moved to a country where we are treated as simpletons and unfit to be equal, we have all experienced that feeling of being alone in a room where everyone else is different. So maybe white men can't relate to the lives of an African immigrant woman, but with open ears and a desire to listen, we can truly understand.