A Comparison Of Between The World And Me

Black history in America is one of the most complex, and most tragic eras that America has gone through as a country, dating back to when the country itself was founded on July 4, 1776. It has gone through numerous phases and changes, many of which have shaped the country to what it is today. Many authors have written about that very issue, trying to have their readers take a glimpse into the blackness of America. One of these authors is Ta-Nehisi Coates, who takes his readers on an eye-opening journey throughout his novel Between The World And Me, presenting numerous ideas of life as a black man and the kind of effect that this has had historically, and the effect it has even today. Coates consistently revolves around the idea of The American

Coates’ uses the identity of being a white person, by also cementing that whiteness is not a race, it is simply a belief that was created as a way to exert dominance and power over “inferior” races. One of the most classic examples of furthering this behavior is simply the dream. This is one of the dreams consequences, as it exuberates the idea of being white. As the dream topples, “white” people lose their so-called identities and are forced to coincide with reality as it really is. Of course, the dream is only part of the problem. Whiteness in America stems from power. White people feel they only have power with domination over black people, and thus without it, it simply comes apart and disappears.“ “White America” is a syndicate arrayed to protect its exclusive power to dominate and control our bodies. Sometimes this power is direct (lynching), and sometimes it is insidious (redlining). But however it appears, the power of domination and exclusion is central to the belief in being white, and without it, “white people” would cease to exist for a want of reasons” (Coates, 42). That is what white people seem to rely on, making sure that white people can uphold a sense of power and domination over all who aren’t. Coates argues that this is America’s foundation and that this is what arguably keeps it moving steadily

Coates grew up in Harlem, which in more than enough detail, spells out the negativity that comes with growing up in such places, especially during the time he was growing up, the 90s to 00s. Coates’ repeatedly mentions that there were beliefs that he needed to cement in order to “survive” as a black child in Harlem. As Coates’ got older, but not too much older, he met another black girl that he was friends with primarily. Coates’ describes how she behaved uniquely, in such ways that he’d never thought he’d see in this situation. “I remember her going to India for spring break and returning with a bindi on her head and photos of her smiling Indian cousins. I told her, “*****, you black” because that’s all I had back then” (Coates, 58). That’s all he had back then. Coates grew up with an almost tight perspective on things. He didn’t understand what it was like to be different. To be unique, which was exactly what she was. His childhood in Harlem deeply rooted his morals, on what black people needed to do to be okay. This girl broke that, and Coates had no choice but to react the way he did because of it. Coates uses more than one example to demonstrate the monstrous effect that growing up in Baltimore has had on not only himself, but all together his entire community. Coates grew up with a sense of fear and defense, as taught by his overall living conditions and