Racism and conflict towards a non-oppressive society has been a task attempted by many, from extreme activists, to educators, to proactive civilians. This prejudice acts as a boundary for those affected, filtering the opportunities of this supposedly “free nation” for minorities. While many people go to great lengths to avoid this sensitive topic, it is vital that dialogue and discussion persist so that solutions and ways to resolve this systematic oppression are discovered and explored. In Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates the theme of racism for African Americans is explored. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The book goes into detail about how America "intentionally destroys the black body" and refuses to acknowledge their oppressive habits that put institutions in the hands of whites. How can a father truly protect his son from such a violent and hateful nation? Only through education and the encouragement of a mindset of empathy and compassion did Coates see fit to prevent his son's highly plausible reality from succumbing to the words of oppressors. The first theme Coates explores is the nation's intentional ways to oppress the black body, recounting his experiences from his youth, "Here's what I would like you to know: in America, it's tradition to destroy the black body: it's a legacy." Coates does this in an attempt to convey to his son the dangers of being black in America, having proof of how exactly the world is trying to take over the African American demographic. Destroying the black body is America's way of firmly establishing a power move with white people. on top. "...for America to justify itself, the story of the destruction of a black body must begin with its mistake, real or imagined..."For the mere fact of having a darker complexion, simply of existing, African Americans they may fear for their lives for having done nothing wrong but simply existing as individuals with melanin in their blood. “The truth is that the police reflect America in all its will and fear, and whatever you may think of this country's criminal justice policy, it cannot be said to have been imposed by a repressive minority.” This painful truth makes it difficult for African Americans to resist this brutality, but it is absolutely necessary, as seen in Coates' decision, to write this too. If he thought it was useless to try to drag his son towards a more aware future, he would not take the time to write this book. In the text, Coates reflects on his desire to leave his burdens behind and achieve what he then considered the “American Dream.” “For a long time I wanted to escape into the Dream, to fold my country over my head like a blanket. But this was never an option because the Dream rests on our backs, the bed made with our bodies. The dream” can flourish by defeating African Americans. This is not a dream, but a flaw. Because America constantly reiterates this idea of the “self-made man” when it fails to take into account the endless obstacles that perpetuate African Americans' lack of ability to efficiently climb the social ladder unlike their white predecessors. Literature can be an outlet for one's desires, dreams, ambitions, etc. However, regarding this situation, Coates uses this medium to convey an important message about overcoming racial barriers for his son. This book, Coates's use of personal anecdotes, grand metaphors, and a cautionary yet authoritative diction that allows hismessage to shine through. “But all of our expressions – race relations, racial chasm, racial justice, racial profiling, white privilege, even white supremacy – serve to obscure the fact that racism is a visceral, brain-removing, airway-blocking, tearing-apart experience. muscles, extracts organs, breaks bones, breaks teeth. You must never take your eyes off this. We must always remember that sociology, history, economics, graphs, tables, regressions all impact, with great violence, on the body." Coates' attempt to enlighten his son about the dangers and suffering that come with being black in America reflects a deeper, tragic truth of African-American demographics. There is an indelible burden that weighs on them, finding that balance in advocating for racial justice. However, by remaining aware that through the institutional sectors that help oppress African Americans, their words of justice and pursuit of what is right can easily be silenced. There is something chilling about reading the words of warning given to his son: “They had worked two or three jobs, sent their children to high school and college, and had become pillars of their community. I admired them, but I knew the whole time that I was simply meeting survivors…” This structure parallels the racial hierarchy that has been established and continually reaffirmed throughout the story. The passion and pain that can be read in Between the World and Me elevate Coates in impact, giving the possibility to let his words mature in the reader's mind. Although Coates encourages his son to recognize these components that contribute to being African American, he does not encourage resentment and hostility. Rather, he pushes his son to behave in a way that is not so easily achievable, compassionate and understanding towards oppressors. “By accepting both the chaos of history and the fact of my total demise, I was free to truly consider how I wanted to live specifically, how can I live free in this black body?” It is not possible to truly understand the burden that must be carried without personally experiencing it. However, it is easy to point out the different incidents and experiences that contribute to the mess that is America. However, not looking for answers in the conglomerate of injustices and aggressions is not the way to go according to Coates' text: “It is truly horrible to conceive of oneself as the essential of one's country. It breaks too much what we would like to think about ourselves, our lives, the world we move in and the people around us. The struggle to understand is our only advantage over this madness.” To achieve full liberation from racial oppression, Coates insists on the need for a transformed dialogue, not filled with hatred and the desire to replace the white people of America. While Coates' writings may be just one of many African American literatures, his choice to write a piece that requires an incredible amount of vulnerability demonstrates the dedication to recognizing and overcoming racial barriers that many African Americans must commit to. “I wouldn't want you to go down in your dream. I wish you were a conscious citizen of this terrible and beautiful world." As readers, we are able to glimpse Coates' point of view, his fears, hopes, and desires for his son. The whole concept of “white” goes hand in hand with being extremely privileged, benefiting from the exploitation of African Americans. The exploitation of African Americans comes from institutions that are disadvantageous to African Americans, the amount of foreign industries establishing their ways to exploit Africa's dependency..
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