The Bulwark Podcast

S2 Ep1060: Ta-Nehisi Coates: A Natural Human Reaction

32 snips
Jun 9, 2025
Ta-Nehisi Coates, acclaimed author known for addressing racial issues, and Lindsay Toczylowski, a dedicated attorney for asylum seekers, engage in a thought-provoking discussion. They reflect on the complexity of modern protests versus the Civil Rights Movement, exploring the instinctual responses to political turmoil. Coates highlights the necessity of cultural narratives in politics and the importance of due process for democracy. Together, they dive into the harsh realities faced by immigrants, blending personal stories with broader societal challenges.
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INSIGHT

Human Reaction to Immigration Raids

  • Trump’s immigration raids provoke natural human backlash due to inflicted violence on communities.
  • Expecting communities not to react humanely to such state actions is unrealistic and unfair.
INSIGHT

Civil Rights Movement's Discipline

  • Civil Rights Movement activists were trained to suppress natural self-defense instincts to achieve political progress.
  • Modern protests reflect natural human reactions missing from past disciplined movements due to different political and cultural environments.
INSIGHT

Long-Term Damage from Trump Era

  • Trump's presidency inflicts deep institutional damage that could empower future leaders to emulate his abuses.
  • Damage to norms and legitimacy undermines democracy beyond Trump’s term.
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