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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 I enter the center, they say, "Yo, yo there he go..."

By Ta-Nehisi Coates
Jan 20 2009, 5:36 PM ET Comment

That was me yesterday. This has really been an awesome week. But man, the highlight for me was yesterday when I was on the Newshour with Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Rael Nelson James and Joseph Lowery. Most of you guys know how much I appreciate Lowery's courage and willingness to talk straight, even when it isn't comfortable. He was simply awesome today. Frankly, I couldn't really focus sitting next to him. In the words of the God, I was scared I'd press up, and mess up, the scene he'd set. And isn't that the way with all of us coming in the wake of that generation? Who amongst us--Obama excluded--really wants to come after Martin? After Malcolm? After Baldwin?

Afterward Lowery jokingly said to me and Rael, "I thought we were going to debate?" Whatever. Maybe when I get another 70 years of wisdom on me. Until then Rev, you got it.

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