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
White racial grievance enjoys automatic credibility, and even when disproven, it is never disqualifying of its bearers.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote discusses the perceived legitimacy and influence of white racial grievance in society, regardless of its validity.
Ta-Nehisi Coates highlights the systemic nature of racial grievances, particularly those expressed by white individuals, suggesting that such grievances often receive unearned credibility and validation in societal discourse. This observation points to a broader issue of racial dynamics, where the grievances of marginalized groups are frequently dismissed or invalidated, while those of the dominant group are amplified and considered legitimate even when they lack substantial evidence.
Themes
Racial GrievanceCredibilitySocietyValidityDiscourseJustice
In practice
Example use cases
During a panel discussion on race relations, one might use this quote to emphasize the unequal treatment of racial grievances.
More from Ta-Nehisi Coates
All quotes βWe've got in the habit of not really understanding how freedom was in the 19th century, the idea of government of the people in the 19th century. America commits itself to that in theory.
Ta-Nehisi CoatesRead
I never expected my writing to become as popular as it did.
Ta-Nehisi CoatesRead
It's hard for me to view Baltimore outside the context of what Baltimore has always been in my mind: a violent place.
Ta-Nehisi CoatesRead
If I could have anything - you know, and this is across the board for any presidential candidate - I would have a greater acknowledgment of history in our policy and in our affairs.
Ta-Nehisi CoatesRead
You can't make a direct comparison between middle-class African Americans and middle-class white Americans, affluent African Americans and affluent white Americans. The amount of wealth tends to be less.
Ta-Nehisi CoatesRead
Similar quotes
Empires fall, ids explode, great symphonies are written, and behind all of it is a single instinct that demands satisfaction.
Sherwin B. NulandRead
May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.
Peter MarshallRead
Real history is far more complex and interesting than the simplistic summaries presented in Wikipedia articles. Knowing this allows you to question received wisdom, to challenge 'facts' 'everybody' knows to be true, and to imagine worlds and characters worthy of our rich historical heritage and our complex selves.
Ken LiuRead
America is the world's engine but also its conscience. We are the petri dish of diversity and inclusiveness.
Martin DempseyRead
Our whole constitutional heritage rebels at the thought of giving government the power to control men's minds.
Thurgood MarshallRead
Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence and deem them like the Ark of the Covenant, too sacred to be touched. They ascribe to men of the preceding age a wisdom more than human and suppose what they did to be beyond amendment.
Edmund MorganRead