Reflections on Between The World And Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Our Presbyterian Church Peace and Social Justice Ministry elected to read Between The World And Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates along with another congregation. Our interim pastor returned from the Big Tent with this book on the suggested reading list.

Our church is a metro multi-cultural congregation, 78% African-Americans, 15% whites. and 5% Hispanics. The participating congregation is a suburban, white church.


At the first of four scheduled meetings, there were four African-American males present, one under thirty, one who had lived during the Jim Crow era in Tennessee.There were three African-American females, five white males and four white females.


The book by The Atlantic Journalist, Ta-Nehisi Coates, is in  a letter format to his fifteen year old son within the backdrop of police killings of African-American males and fear of losing the body and its destruction. Reading this book would challenge some deeply held beliefs. As a member of the so called Mature/Silent generation, I wondered what  common ground or perspective I would share with Author Coates whose age places him in Generation X . Most of all what might I learn from a justice perspective.

Born and raised in the Jim Crow South where I spent a third of my life, the legal racial caste system defined my relationships. My school and community were segregated. I have been impacted by personal and institutional racism in the north. I know the anger as young adult which Coates speaks of and the joy of attending a historical black college. I've never negated personal responsibility for my own actions and behaviors.

I did not fear my father, my peers or my community. I have great empathy for those who are traumatized by such fear or actual violence. I did, however, fear the police although, I had no encounter with the police. We did not view the police as protectors of the community My life centered and revolved around family, the church, and school which were a source of support, inspiration, and hope.

The book allows one to step into Coates' reality, although you may not have experienced it, know it or claim it. In the midst of his fog and anger, there is a continuous quest for knowledge, truth and image of a dream unfolding, although it is not the "American Dream."  The essence of Coates' soul is speaking to his son about the path Coates has traveled, and perhaps the path he has prepared for his son.

 From a social justice perspective, the book is clear  that the struggle for African-Americans continues, Coates does not entertain how this might be pursued or who is responsible. The book rattles the chains and  troubles the waters.

 The study group discussed what it means to be white and white privilege. The questioned  was raised Who is  most responsible for righting the wrongs and solving the problems of injustice, and what gets in the way?

Howard University was and is Coates "mecca." Coates is a testimony to Howard University and the continuing need for historical Black Colleges and Universities.

The study group met four times. The members of the group raised other thoughtful questions such
as What would we tell our children or grandchildren if we were writing a letter to them?  How would Christians end this book? Where do we go from here as people of faith?

Ta-Nehisi Coates is one of the many but contemporary writers who "have  found the courage to tell the ugly truths about slavery, Jim Crow and current racism that were repressed by the wider culture."