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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.

When they kick in your front door, how you gonna come...

By Ta-Nehisi Coates
Nov 22 2008, 10:57 AM ET Comment

Man I was feeling good and nostalgic last night, so I decided to throw on some Bob, and recall my teenage years, riding the 33 bus from Rogers Station to Poly, with Uprising rocking on the walkman. I had a good time and all, but the experience was tainted. A few years back I was informed by a very good friend of mine, who happens to be white, that no self-respecting person can play Bob Marley, because all his albums had been stamped "FRAT-BOY." Damn. I do love my Bob, but it just ain't been the same since then. I tell you integration is not an unqualified good--unless it's the Clash. Speaking of which, I can't decide if I like this or not...



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