Coates writes to his son about the meaning of being black in America,about ownership of black bodies and the pursuit of the American dream ( freedom from fear of profiling by the system, fear of the future, and knowing one's place in the world) built upon the back of those bodies. He starts from when he was a child in Baltimore and covers what it was like to be in the streets and school to current day problems. He covers not just political issues but also social issues like school ( what is really the point, and what kind of history are they teaching, cause black history didnt start in America as slaves but they never show that.) and what their purpose is. Also family and how different generations ( the older generation punishments out of love “ either the I beat him or the police”)and how different cultures show love.
I can't say enough. It's thought provoking and makes you look at everything with a better focused lens. Its not just about the injustices done to us but the injustices that we ourselves continue to fall victim to despite the perception of freedom ( Freedom from fear of physical vulnerability and pain, fear of the system, and fear of the economics of life among others). Some of the phrases he uses has me looking at the people around me and in my circle harder ( like “ those American who believe they are white”). These are words our generation needs to hear, so that we may not blindly fall into the traps set for us. So that we may not be afraid any longer and come to rely on one another in the protection of our bodies. In all realness it should be required reading for everyone. I have never seen a writer explain so well a life that was his, to people who would otherwise not know. It wasn't to make one feel guilty or ashamed or enraged, it was simply to show a life that may have been otherwise unknown to you.
His recollection from his childhood growing up in black Baltimore, up until latest with Trayvon Martin and his killer walking free. His descriptions of life and even just of walking down the street to in the hood are so vivid that I feel like I'm walking beside his following the "blocks rules" in protection of my body. He names more instances of police killings and cover ups and bring to the attention that this has been going on for far too long. He points out that all the instances as he was growing up and how close to home it hit him every time. he even describes feeling helpless as his own son watched it for the first time with so much anger but not knowing what to do with it.
I could write about this all day long but the best way to know is to read and I would recommend you read this powerful man's story to his son about what it really means to be black in America. Ta Nehisi Coates is the one of the most important and influential writers of our time and this book is all the proof you need. It's not to make anyone feel guilty about anything it's to open the eyes of those who don't know or don't understand and recognize those who already see the struggle. I promise you won't regret it. Its a short read that will leave you with so much to think about and talk about with the people around you.
Between the world and me
978-0812993547
Ta Nehisi Coates
176 pages
