[Winning the White House was an achievement], but as an African-American, [Barack Obama], I think the symbolism is in how he conducted himself. The symbolism was in - and this sounds really, really small, but it's actually big for African-Americans - the symbolism was not in being an embarrassment, but to being a figure that folks were actually proud of.
Ta-Nehisi CoatesI think President [Barack] Obama deeply underestimated the force of white supremacy in American life.
Ta-Nehisi CoatesHumans also tend to find community to be pleasurable, and within the boundaries of community relationships, words - often ironic and self-deprecating - are always spoken that take on other meanings when uttered by others.
Ta-Nehisi CoatesThese were the days when I powerfully believed Breyers and Entenmann's to be pioneers in the field of antidepressants.
Ta-Nehisi CoatesWhat sets black people apart is not some deficit in personal responsibility. It's the weight on our shoulders. That is what's actually different. We have the weight and burden of history.
Ta-Nehisi Coates