There's a kind of optimism specifically within Christianity about the world - about whose side God is on. Well, I didn't have any of that in my background. I had physicality and chaos.
Ta-Nehisi CoatesRead
I had to learn to not be so hard. And I had a wife and, at that time, a partner when Samori was born, and for most of Samori's life, a partner, who, for whatever reason, did not have to learn that and was very tender and very, very soft with him.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the importance of nurturing and gentleness in parenting.
In this quote, Ta-Nehisi Coates shares a personal reflection on the contrasting approaches to parenting between himself and his partner. He acknowledges his own struggles with being hard and emphasizes the tenderness and softness that his partner exhibited, which greatly influenced their child, Samori. This highlights the necessity of emotional sensitivity and gentleness in raising children.
Themes
ParentingTendernessGentlenessFamilyPartnership
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on parenting techniques, this quote can be used to illustrate the value of softness and nurturing.
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