There are African-American families around this country - a large, large number of African-American families - that operate out of complete fear that their kids are going to be taken from them and will do anything to prevent that. Ta-Nehisi Coates africanamericancomplete share on social
I think the body is the ultimate thing. The soul and mind are part of the body. I don't think there is anything outside of that. Your physical self is who you are. Some people feel that that is reductionist, but I don't think it is. It's just true. Ta-Nehisi Coates bodyfeelmind share on social
I just want to be really clear about this: Anyone who has read Colin Powell's biography - there's an entire section where he talks about experiencing segregation. Colin Powell did not appear when he became head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. That's not how it happened. Ta-Nehisi Coates biographychiefclear share on social
I think at places like 'Slate' or the magazine where I work, there was a really poor record of hiring African-American writers. It was really that simple. And I think with the proliferation of the Internet and Internet media, it has been a little harder to maintain that gatekeeper position. Ta-Nehisi Coates africanamericangatekeeper share on social
The two endorsements I'm most proud of come from Isabel Wilkerson and Toni Morrison. The latter is the greatest American fiction writer of our time, and the former is on her way to being the greatest American nonfiction writer of our time. Ta-Nehisi Coates americanendorsementfiction share on social
Outside of hip-hop, it was in comics that I most often found the aesthetics and wisdom of my world reflected. Ta-Nehisi Coates aestheticcomicfind Change image and share on social
I think riots happen when communities are under pressure for long periods of time. That's not a mistake. Ta-Nehisi Coates communityhappenlong Change image and share on social
'White America' is a syndicate arrayed to protect its exclusive power to dominate and control our bodies. Ta-Nehisi Coates americaarraybody Change image and share on social
One of the things we tell ourselves as African-Americans is if we work hard, play by the rules, we do start back a little ways, but if we can be twice as good, somehow we can escape history and heritage and legacy. Ta-Nehisi Coates africanamericanback share on social
When you read a comic book, there's a space between what's happening on the panel and what you have to literally see in your mind. That's not true of movies, where you see everything. Ta-Nehisi Coates bookcomichappen Change image and share on social