the message

Ta-Nehisi Coates is one of those writers where I will read him at any time, anywhere. Like, his writing is just that good - I always know that I can look forward to a deep dive, beautifully crafted sentences, and serious thoughtfulness about whatever the topic is. I pre-ordered the book and it arrived yesterday and I finished it in one sitting. It's not as impressive as it sounds - the book is fairly short and has pretty large print, but it is packed. You could get a lot of material out of it.

It's basically 3 essays addressed to his students about what writing is for, and the purpose of it. He writes about his trips to three specific places - Senegal, South Carolina, and Israel/West Bank. It is this last part that is getting the most attention. He went viral two days ago for this hostile morning show interview with a Zionist who all but accused him of basically being a terrorist sympathizer. Watch it for the rapid-fire hasbara accusations, and for Coates to basically stand his ground, morally, in saying "Apartheid is never justified". He did an interview with Jon Stewart that is better, and worth watching:

Watch on YouTube

And also with Chris Hayes:

Watch on YouTube