Ten years later, Ta-Nehisi Coates says 'Between the World and Me' is no longer his
Jul 7, 2025
Ta-Nehisi Coates marks the 10-year anniversary of his impactful letter to his son, reflecting on its significance amid current race relations. He discusses the tragic story of a friend killed by police, highlighting the disconnect between media portrayals and lived experiences. Coates also examines the censorship of critical race theory, exploring the ongoing fight against literary bans that impact influential authors. The conversation reveals his evolving relationship with his work and its lasting legacy.
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insights INSIGHT
Rejecting The Oracle Role
Ta-Nehisi Coates rejects the role of a single spokesperson for Black experiences. - He believes no one should be the oracle articulating that experience alone.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Prince Jones' Death Inspired Book
Prince Jones, Coates' friend, was killed by an undercover police officer. - His death and the false narratives about him deeply affected Coates and inspired Between the World and Me.
insights INSIGHT
Timing Amplified Book's Impact
The book's impact was partly due to timing with the Mother Emanuel church shooting. - The country was searching for answers about race when the book was released earlier than planned.
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Between the World and Me is a personal and literary exploration of America's racial history. Written as a series of letters to his 15-year-old son, Samori, Ta-Nehisi Coates reflects on his own experiences growing up in Baltimore, his education at Howard University, and his career as a journalist. The book delves into the realities of being Black in America, including the historical and ongoing impacts of slavery, segregation, police brutality, and mass incarceration. Coates shares personal anecdotes and historical insights to prepare his son for the challenges he will face as a Black man in America, while also offering a broader critique of American society and its treatment of Black bodies. The book is a powerful and emotional exploration of identity, history, and the struggle for racial justice[2][3][4].
The Message
Ta Nehisi Coates
In 'The Message', Ta-Nehisi Coates delves into the intersections of race, power, and identity through three intertwining essays. The book is part memoir, part travelogue, and part writing primer. Coates reflects on his visits to Dakar, Senegal, where he grapples with his Afrocentric roots; Columbia, South Carolina, where he examines the backlash against historical reckoning and book banning; and Palestine, where he critiques nationalist narratives and their impact on reality. The book emphasizes the urgent need to untangle destructive myths and embrace difficult truths to create a more just future.
Ten years ago, Ta-Nehisi Coates published Between the World and Me, written as a letter to his then-15-year-old son. The book was released shortly after a shooting at Mother Emanuel church in Charleston left nine people dead – and it became a literary phenomenon as many Americans searched for answers about the state of race relations in the United States. In today's episode, Coates reflects on the 10 year anniversary of Between the World and Me. He speaks with NPR's Michel Martin about the book's dedication, efforts to ban his work, and the role of writers in the public sphere.
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