“The theory is, in a lot of black folks’ circles, if we make ourselves respectable to them then maybe that will ameliorate the hatred. But they have it wrong. They hate you because you’re respectable; it’s the respectableness that inspires the hate, because you undercut [the stereotype] by your very example.” -- Ta-Nehisi Coates
This episode of "Literary Arts: The Archive Project," features journalist and "New York Times" bestselling author Ta-Nehisi Coates in conversation with the "New York Times’" Jenna Wortham. Hailed by Toni Morrison as the intellectual heir to James Baldwin, Coates has become one of the most sought after voices on the subject of race in America. In this interview, he discusses the Black American experience as described in his newest book, "We Were Eight Years in Power," a collection of new and selected essays that focus on former President Barack Obama’s ascent to the highest office in the nation as well as the sharp backlash that followed.
Bio:
Ta-Nehisi Coates is a national correspondent for "The Atlantic." His book "Between the World And Me" won the National Book Award in 2015. His most recent work, "We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy," a collection of his essays, is a "New York Times" bestseller. Ta-Nehisi is a recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship. Since 2016, Coates has written Marvel's "The Black Panther" comic book. He lives in New York with his wife and son.
Jenna Wortham is an award-winning journalist for "New York Times Magazine," among other things. Her work has been featured in "Medium," "Smithsonian Magazine," "The Village Voice," and "Vogue." Wortham also hosts the "New York Times" podcast "Still Processing."