Skip Navigation
Ta-Nehisi Coates

Ta-Nehisi Coates - Ta-Nehisi Coates is a senior editor for The Atlantic, where he writes about culture, politics, and social issues for TheAtlantic.com and the magazine. He is the author of the memoir The Beautiful Struggle. More

Born in 1975, the product of two beautiful parents. Raised in West Baltimore—not quite The Wire, but sometimes ill all the same. Studied at the Mecca for some years in the mid-’90s. Emerged with a purpose, if not a degree. Slowly migrated up the East Coast with a baby and my beloved, until I reached the shores of Harlem. Wrote some stuff along the way.

Obama at Ebeneezer--Uhm, Wow

By Ta-Nehisi Coates
Jan 23 2008, 11:59 AM ET Comment

So this is my problem with blogging, and you guys have to forgive me because I am new to this. A few days ago I took on Obama for his comments about anti-semitism and homophobia on the homefront. I was responding to excerpts from his speech, which gave the impression that he'd spent much of it chastising black folks. In fact it was about 30 seconds of a 34 minute speech--and a needed 30 seconds. I still maintain my criticism of Obama's stance on gay marriage. But I don't know how you watch this speech and aren't moved.

That said, one of the hard things about following Obama is that there is a section of the media that is more interested in his criticisms of black America, than anything else he's saying. I made the mistake of equating him with the critics.



Presented by

More at The Atlantic

The Fight for a Fair and Free Internet The Fight for a Fair and Free Internet
Love Stinks: An Economic Manifesto Love (on the Internet) Stinks
Valentine's Day Postcards From the Early 1900s Valentine's Day Postcards From the Early 1900s
Mourning in America: Whitney Houston and the Social Speed of Grief Houston's Death and the Social Speed of Grief
The fEARLESSness of Jeremy Lin The Fearlessness of Jeremy Lin

Join the Discussion

After you comment, click Post. If you’re not already logged in you will be asked to log in or register.
blog comments powered by Disqus
Special Report
The Civil War National Portrait Gallery The Civil War
President Obama reflects on what Lincoln means to him and to America, in an introduction to our special issue. Read more ›
View All Correspondents

The Biggest Story in Photos

Valentine's Day 2012

Feb 14, 2012

Subscribe Now

SAVE 59%! 10 issues JUST $2.45 PER COPY

Facebook

Newsletters

Sign up to receive our free newsletters

(sample)

(sample)

(sample)

(sample)

Ta-Nehisi Coates
from the Magazine

Why Do So Few Blacks Study the Civil War?

Ta-Nehisi Coates is an Atlantic senior editor.

Fade to White

A filmmaker maps Austin’s shifting ethnic landscape.

The Legacy of Malcolm X

Why his vision lives on in Barack Obama