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.

A truly sexist remark

By Ta-Nehisi Coates
Sep 26 2008, 8:49 PM ET Comment

Uhm, I was just sitting here working on a post with MSNBC on mute, and glancing up occasionally. I just saw Barack and Michelle walking in. Uhm, Michelle is dope, like really dope--a dime-piece as we used to say, back in the day. That was a great fucking dress she was wearing. I don't think white people get this--or maybe you guys do. From her very physical appearance (hips, height, complexion) to her pedigree (South Side, Ivy League) Michelle is exactly what black folks would have wanted a "First Lady" to be. It's like she was dreamed up in "Black First Lady" factory or some shit. Incredible.

I've wanted to say that for a while, but I haven't because, frankly, I'm nervous about saying anything about her physical appearance. I've done my best to be respectful. I'd ask any commenters--without feeling restrained--to attempt to do the same.


Presented by

More at The Atlantic

If 10 Berkeley Cops Can't Get the Chief's Son's Phone Back, Your Vigilante Recovery Won't Work Either The Perils of Tracking Down a Stolen Phone
The Most Powerful 'Game of Thrones' Character? Bad Luck The Most Powerful 'Game of Thrones' Character? Bad Luck
Radical Life Extension Is Already Here, But We're Doing it Wrong Does Extending Life Go Against Evolution?
Ray Bradbury on Facing Rejection ... and Being Inspired by Snoopy Ray Bradbury on Facing Rejection and Snoopy
Go Midwest, Young Man: Indiana's Plan to Steal California Jobs Indiana's Plan to Steal the West Coast's Technology Jobs

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
View All Correspondents

The Biggest Story in Photos

Earthquake in Northern Italy

May 22, 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)

(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