Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Cornel West Blasts Ta-Nehisi Coates for Perceived Obama Worship

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


Wikipedia

The literati darling Ta-Nehisi Coates received some daunting criticism Thursday via Facebook. Political commentator and professor Dr. Cornel West has countered Toni Morrison’s glowing comparison of the author to James Baldwin with a politically charged status update. New York Times columnist David Brooks weighed in on Coates’ book today as well.

According to West:

“Baldwin was a great writer of profound courage who spoke truth to power. Coates is a clever wordsmith with journalistic talent who avoids any critique of the Black president in power … Coates can grow and mature, but without an analysis of capitalist wealth inequality, gender domination, homophobic degradation, Imperial occupation (all concrete forms of plunder) and collective fightback (not just personal struggle) Coates will remain a mere darling of White and Black Neo-liberals, paralyzed by their Obama worship and hence a distraction from the necessary courage and vision we need in our catastrophic times.”

Coates, a voracious tweeter (@tanehisicoates), responded:

OK.”

The author’s memoir Between the World and Me is ubiquitously adored by reviewers and readers, many of which spring from the illustrious ilk that Coates hopes to condemn. Anyone familiar with cultural consumption knows this to be a price of artistic and commercial success. Ultimately, can the work be compromised by its audience? Coates is certainly aware of the question:

Big difference between who decides to listen to you, and who you intend to talk to.

Still, West’s loudest critique of Coates is the author’s perceived “Obama worship”. But don’t his Atlantic pieces say something different?  In the past, he has condemned the president’s views on abortion, his patronizing subversion of race in speeches, and the New Jim Crow. While not directed at Obama, his most recent is a heartbreaking letter to his fourteen-year-old son that painfully dissects the hemorrhaging of American race relations alongside personal trauma:

“To be black in the Baltimore of my youth was to be naked before the elements of the world, before all the guns, fists, knives, crack, rape, and disease. The law did not protect us. And now, in your time, the law has become an excuse for stopping and frisking you, which is to say, for furthering the assault on your body. But a society that protects some people through a safety net of schools, government-backed home loans, and ancestral wealth but can protect you only with the club of criminal justice has either failed at enforcing its good intentions or succeeded at something much darker.”

Meanwhile, in his Friday column, Brooks writes that since police killings of people of color have become an important topic of discussion for every American, it has been a great year of “education for white people.” He goes on to praise Coates’ book, saying it “is a mind-altering account of the black male experience. Every conscientious American should read it.”

As the debate continues on the Twitterscape and in the physical realm, more may begin to pick apart Coates’ work. Still, his influence is unquestionable and the debate essential to race and class in the year 2015. Perhaps Dr. West’s closing words say it best, despite his grievances:

Brother Coates continue to lift your gifted voice to your precious son and all of us, just beware of the white noise and become connected to the people’s movements!

—Posted by Rory Thost

Related Entries


Source: http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/cornel_west_blasts_ta-nehisi_coates_for_perceived_obama_worship_20150717/


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.