Reddit Reddit reviews Between the World and Me

We found 19 Reddit comments about Between the World and Me. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.

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Between the World and Me
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER | NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER | NAACP IMAGE AWARD WINNER | PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST | NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST | NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times Book Review O: The Oprah Magazine The Washington Post People Entertainment Weekly Vogue Los Angeles Times San Francisco Chronicle Chicago Tribune New York Newsday Library Journal Publishers Weekly
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19 Reddit comments about Between the World and Me:

u/N0PE-N0PE-N0PE · 56 pointsr/Showerthoughts

Reading books like Hillbilly Elegy and Between the World and Me back-to-back suggests that kind of defensive thinking is pretty universal.

"Getting too big for your britches" among poor white folks is pretty similar to the pressure to "keep it real" among poor black folks. Crabs in a bucket, basically.

u/NFB42 · 18 pointsr/PoliticalDiscussion

To add, you can find a lot of his smaller work on The Atlantic, here:

http://www.theatlantic.com/author/ta-nehisi-coates/

His biggest, prize-winning, piece is this one from 2014: The Case for Reparations

His recent, massively successful and also award-winning book is: Between the World and Me

And if you're into that sort of thing, as Obama mentioned in his recent address to Howard U, Coates is also the writer for the latest Black Panther superhero comics run.

As you might gather, Coates is relatively narrow in his range of topics though. His topic is race in America, about which he talks both from a deeply personal perspective and from a deeply historical perspective. He is respected as a writer/journalist who not only talks about the problems of racism in current times, but who can connect current problems with the whole history of the United States drawing on both academic historical scholarship and in particular the African-American intellectual tradition.

u/AsianBossPhd · 9 pointsr/AsianMasculinity

My go-to book for a reference on discrimination against Asians and the construction of Asian masculinity within a white supremacist society is "Asian American Sexual Politics: The Construction of Race, Gender, and Sexuality" by Chou http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14366163-asian-american-sexual-politics

There are tons of other brilliant books but I have yet to find one as eloquent as this piece.

In the book, Chou stresses that the construction of Asian masculinity is intrinsically tied to construction of masculinity for other people-of-color, like black people. Therefore, there are many overlaps between the social troubles that Asian folks face in Western countries with other people-of-color, even though not all of them are the same.

I am very interested in the African-American experience, because I feel that they experience racism much more deeply and appreciates the perniciousness of white supremacy more viscerally.

Many excellent books have came out this past year, such as:

Tears we Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America by Michael Eric Dyson
https://www.amazon.com/Tears-We-Cannot-Stop-America/dp/1250135990

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
https://www.amazon.com/Between-World-Me-Ta-Nehisi-Coates/dp/0812993543/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

And some classics:

White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son - Tim Wise

What does it Mean to be White - Robin DiAngelo

The Heart of Whiteness - Robert Jensen

I am not your Negro - James Baldwin

Any speech by Martin Luther King and Malcom X is just as good as any of these books. For a brief review on the history of racism and white supremacy in the United States with actual footages, I have found "Eyes on the Prize" series on YouTube offer a more than excellent recount https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts10IVzUDVw

There are many African Americans who see parallels between their own struggle with those of Asian folks Why Black America should care about the Death of Danny Chen, therefore we must return the favor and stand with them and not against them in their struggle for human rights. And on the global scale, China and other countries in Asia must stand with African nations, we might fight the battle against white supremacy. We either rise together or we both get destroyed by this white supremacist world, there is literally no other way

u/-AJ · 9 pointsr/askgaybros

The term "racist" can be very loaded and charged, because some people (especially white people) view the label with such fear and dread that they will vigorously defend themselves against any hint of an accusation of being racist. The defensiveness masks for them the systemic racism within the culture into which they were born.

It's not always as simple as saying "X person is a racist" or "Y person is not a racist". There aren't just two options. Outside of people like white nationalists, who are overt and admitted racists (and who Trump regards as "fine people"), for everyone else, the label of "racist" is given out by others, and when it is, people usually run from it as fast as they can.

The reason I like to use it only sparingly when directed at an individual is not because it isn't true that the person being accused isn't a racist, but because the label halts any possibility of either person shifting from their position. A person labelled a racist becomes blind to even their own actual views on race, and blind to the larger existing cultural problems involving race.

Trump supporters will often respond to accusations of Trump being labelled a racist much in the same way as if they themselves were being accused, so we encounter the same problem.

If you really want to know the ways in which Trump is racist, you can just Google it, read about it on Wikipedia, or read one or two of the numerous, well-documented, thoroughly researched articles on the topic.

What I recommend instead is that, if you genuinely want to understand race in America, these three books are a pretty great place to start:

White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

u/NuclearCalm · 8 pointsr/Blackfellas

Hey there, white dude here as well. I highly recommend reading Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. That book utterly changed my life and I can't recommend it enough. It highlighted a lot of my own internal biases and caused me to do a lot of rethinking about myself and the world around me. Totally changed my perspective.

u/Blueberryspies · 5 pointsr/Economics

Pick up Between the World and Me and then get back to me.

u/landrybennett · 4 pointsr/AdvancedRunning
u/tokyoburns · 4 pointsr/politics

I'm really glad you are interested in the topic of race in America. Especially its intersection with politics. It's a serious issue that needs more attention. Here are several books I recommend to get you started:

https://www.amazon.com/Race-Human-Diversity-Biocultural-Approach/dp/0131838768/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1473351402&sr=8-3&keywords=human+diversity

https://www.amazon.com/Between-World-Me-Ta-Nehisi-Coates/dp/0812993543/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473351442&sr=8-1&keywords=coates

https://www.amazon.com/Race-Matters-Cornel-West/dp/0679749861/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473351540&sr=8-1&keywords=race+matters

If you don't have the money to purchase one right now I'd be glad to try to find a pirated version for you. If I can't find one (or your not comfortable with pirating) I'm sure some redditors would be happy to crowd fund your curiosity on this subject and buy a few books for you to get started.

u/Yawehg · 3 pointsr/CasualConversation

Between the World and Me - Ta-Nahesi Coates

Written as a memior, but ending more as a personal essay on race and growing up. If you liked Amos Oz you'll like this.

u/MoreLikeWestfailia · 2 pointsr/GAPol

Nobody but you is claiming race should be the only factor. If you don't understand the historic roll race
(and racism) has played in America, and how it impacts us today, and why it's important we attempt to fix the systemic issues it has caused, that's on you. Maybe go read a book?

u/frenchlitgeek · 2 pointsr/Quebec

Oui, ça sert juste à mettre en lumière ds situations sociales difficiles vécues de manière disproportionnée par un groupe social en particulier. Ça n'implique pas que ceux et celles qui n'appartiennent pas à ce groupe particulier sont directement (mais ça peut être le cas) des causes de ces situations difficiles, des vecteurs d'injustice envers d'autres personnes.

Ça attire l'attention sur des trucs moins visibles et, personnellement, ça me donne le goût de savoir comment je peux utiliser mes privilèges pour améliorer les choses pour d'autres qui ne jouissent pas de ces privilèges-là.

C'est un concept abordé par Ta-Nehisi Coates dans Between the Wolrd and Me quand il parle du "Rêve blanc" (il va par contre plus loin en soutenant que celui-ci, aux States, est construit et possible étant donné l'oppression d'autres citoyen.ne.s qui n'ont pas accès à ce Rêve de la même manière).

u/HighlyEdgeMecated · 2 pointsr/selfhelp

Make attempts to learn about the experiences of lives that are unlike your own. Assuming you are not black/African-American, I suggest reading "Between the World and Me".
http://www.amazon.com/Between-World-Me-Ta-Nehisi-Coates/dp/0812993543/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1464158241&sr=1-1&keywords=between+the+world+and+me

u/YoSoyChompipe · 2 pointsr/politics

Well... Using your definition it seems that the quote I provided proves Trump guilty, no? They're ALL rapists, remember? Clearly they're not, he only said this to give people (like you?) a reason to feel superior to them. America is no longer great because of immigrants. Isn't that the point? Their fault, not ours.

You really haven't provided any actual premises to back up your arguments.

Racism is complicated, I suggest this book (although I know my suggestion will be ignored because you don't seem to give a fuck about any point of view that may begin to remove those blinders you have on): https://www.amazon.com/Between-World-Me-Ta-Nehisi-Coates/dp/0812993543

u/Sharkaddy2 · 1 pointr/news

I do agree that the media has failed us all. The discussion has become so warped and compartmentalized that it has ground to an invective-laced stalemate.

My only suggestion is to expose yourself to stories told by African-Americans. Skip the news, go straight to a primary source. The best one off the top of my head is this book.

It's the letters the author wrote to his son before he went off to college. The author knew his son would be out there in the world without him, and he wouldn't be around to explain the things he'd have to deal with, so he told him the story of his experience as a black man in America.

If you do decide to read it I'm sure you won't agree with everything in it, and I don't think any reasonable person should expect you to. It's just a very sober, very well written look at the other side of the story.

u/louis_deboot · 1 pointr/linux

Thank you, once again, for that propaganda-laden YouTube channel. I'd be more impressed if you could find a more credible source than some guy picking out black crimes.

As for your statistics, numbers will only get you so far. I will accept that there is a higher crime rate among blacks, but much of that is because of the culture that the U.S. instills in them. And before you call me out on being an "SJW", let me make it clear that I am in no way affiliated with them. I find the majority of what they have to say ridiculous. However, the combination of poverty and fear/frustration stemming from racism that many black people experience is more often than not responsible for crime. Historically, black people in the U.S. have been disadvantaged, both socially and economically. Also historically, those who feel disadvantaged or trodden upon tend to lash out, no matter their race or culture. Honestly, you're just being racist at this point. Your statements look no farther than what you consider "objective" facts, and anyone with the even the most basic critical thinking skills realizes that statistics taken out of context are meaningless. Have a little empathy, and before you make blanket statements about black people being inherently more violent than whites, try to look at living in the U.S. from their perspective. Here is a wonderful book about growing up black in the U.S., maybe it will help you learn a little understanding: http://www.amazon.com/Between-World-Me-Ta-Nehisi-Coates/dp/0812993543

u/moonmixer · 1 pointr/Atlanta

>So your response comes down to "You just don't understand" and "you're not educated"

Well, when answering these specific questions, yes.

>Maybe it's just not reasonable to expect a white person to truly have a black point of view.

I would never "expect a white person to have a black point of view". That is exactly the point I am trying to make. No white person can understand "a black point of view" on a fundamental level, but a white person can understand an extensive historical record of oppression and recognize how it changes the lives of the historically oppressed, especially when those very same people describe a way in which that historical oppression manifests in the present day.

>Maybe it's not reasonable to expect a person of any race to put somebody else's interests before their own.

Eh, I don't really expect people to do this. I want them to do it. I believe wholeheartedly that putting another's interests before your own is one of the most amazingly unique, human things that we are capable of doing. Action that can be interpreted as selfless is something that separates us from most, if not ALL less intelligent animals. If you don't agree, I'm not necessarily surprised. I don't expect you to hold this view. I only hope.

>Re-examine your beliefts.

Always do, always will ;-)

In fact, should you happen upon me in the correct scenario, you might see me arguing against stereotypically-"SJW" viewpoints, precisely because I have done my best not to accept wholesale the ideas of any other person, ever.

I'll (potentially) end this discussion with the following quote, from YOU:

>If you don't want me to judge black politicos based on what I see and hear from them, then I need access to their real message. Not the PR message tailored for those like me, the raw and uncut message. That is what you should be basing your faith in these people on.

If you want access to the "real message", then I advise you not reject the message given to you on first glance. For fuck's sake, go to one of these "segregated" discussion groups that spawned this thread and actually spend some time meeting people who are different from you and listen. Try your best not to resolve to attack the messages therein and instead question them as a child would, in an attempt to understand from a more fundamental and deeper level. I know I have; it's precisely why I've gone from someone who rejects this type of theory to someone who feels deeply committed to it.

I have spent more time on this website than I care to admit attempting to understand the actual arguments of people who rail against "SJWs" and their ilk. I've done hours upon hours of research, dissected innumerable arguments. I grew up in an environment where I was friendly with and regularly conversed with people who are very ideologically different that I am now. I implore you to really consider how much you've attempted to challenge yourself on this issue and others, as my genuine belief is that anyone who spends enough time on this topic will come to believe something much more similar to what I believe. I would be insane to not believe otherwise.

____

tl;dr: I really hope you read the entirety of the above and consider it, but if you don't (and especially if you do) I request that you immerse yourself for a bit longer than you are used to in some of the following material. Note that I would never assert that none of the below is infallible or devoid of bias, but it is certainly worth your time and (I believe) would be a significant challenge (in the competitive sense) to the way you think about these issues. Let your ideas battle it out after you consume the following media, really wrestle with the minutiae of everything you take in. It's worth it.


  1. 13th - A highly critically acclaimed documentary, noted for how meticulously it pursues and highlights the facts of race in America


  2. Between the World and Me - A short book taking the form of a letter from black father to black son, written by one of the greatest living American writers (IMO)

  3. The Case for Reparations - An article by the same author detailing the ways in which the legacy of slavery still holds black Americans down. One of the best pieces of journalism I've ever read, and extremely informative. (I'd like to point out that reparations for slavery - that is, monetary recompense for slavery - are not something that all "black politicos" believe should happen, nor something that I necessarily believe should happen either)

    There is plenty more, but the first and third listed here are particularly easy to consume and I'd suggest you read/watch them.


    EDIT: would also love some recommendations of movies/documentaries/books that YOU believe would change MY beliefs. I'm always in search of that.
u/skybelt · 1 pointr/changemyview

> the rich white kid had to work hard and deal with a lot of shit too?

That may be true, in which case he can tell the college about it and they can take it into account.

> I didn't say it did.

But given that colleges do take into account more than just test scores, using test scores as your only evidence that "more qualified" candidates are being passed up is basically saying that test scores = qualifications.

Look, I used to be like you. I literally wrote an editorial against affirmative action in my local newspaper when I was in high school. I don't think anybody could have convinced me then that affirmative action was OK, and I don't expect to be able to convince you now. Just know that those of us who support affirmative action, even though it may in some sense "disadvantage" the races we belong to, do so because we feel that the deck is deeply, deeply stacked against black people in this country, and that without accounting for that deck-stacking when we make decisions about who to offer the opportunity to go to college to, we perpetuate and amplify the effects of that deck stacking. We live in a world where coloblind policy would perpetuate and reinforce a very much not colorblind history and a society that doesn't actually operate in a colorblind way. As a result, we favor policy that we believe at least progresses toward a world in which colorblind policy would create colorblind outcomes, even if it means accounting for color today.

That's not a thing I can convince you of in a night, and it may not be a thing that you ever believe at any point in your life. All I ask is that you don't dismiss our argument out of hand.

And hell, if you're bored, and interested in getting a deeper perspective on this stuff, maybe even peruse materials on how black people actually are uniquely disadvantaged in the U.S.

Maybe check out similar CMVs.

Or read Coates's fantastic piece about how housing policy continued to prevent the accumulation of wealth in the black community decades after slavery ended, or his beautiful memoir to his son.

Read about how black people have been intentionally targeted for disproportionate incarceration by the society, and imagine the effect that having your race associated with poverty and crime has on popular perceptions of you by society.

That's just a handful of examples, and you don't have to engage with them now of course. Just know that many of us who have have come to the conclusion that the treatment of black people in the United States is and has been uniquely horrific, and we can't rely on colorblind institutions to make amends. Thus - affirmative action.

u/Cutth · 0 pointsr/digitalnomad

no concise fix to a centuries-long problem but if you're american (or even not american) you can read this https://www.amazon.com/Between-World-Me-Ta-Nehisi-Coates/dp/0812993543/ref=sr_1_1?
ie=UTF8&qid=1523288519&sr=8-1&keywords=between+the+world+and+me

u/Hynjia · -2 pointsr/worldnews

>However, when we speak of inequality, we are led to believe that inequality is fueled solely by white America. That simply isn’t the case.

Your problem is listening to MSM discourse on racism in the first place. It's mostly just white people dominating the conversation, saying nonsense, left and right.

When you go to people like Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, or Michelle Alexander, or Ta-Nehisi Coates, or Karen Ho, or Deepa Kumar, or anybody with a narrative that isn't white, you quite quickly come to understand how it is indeed that inequality is solely fueled by white America. Racism in America didn't start with black people. Racism in America isn't perpetuated by black people either; the war on drugs isn't a black American idea. But it's not like you can treat minorities they way white people do and expect them to be like, "Yeah! I wanna be cool with those guys!"

Discrimination by minorities is a reaction to, and not cause of, the racism of white America. The feedback loop between discrimination by minorities and racism by white America is pretty much where we're at.

To be explicit: that's not to say that minority communities don't have social problems of their own. But then here comes white America screaming, "Identity politics is destroying America!" People on the left and right proclaim this! It's like they expect minorities to live up to a certain colorless, featureless identity (one that caters to white people because it's not like they're calling for an identity of blackness or Hispanics or Asians) in order to overcome some social obstacle, then white America will turn around and say, "Well, what about the problems in your community?" What do you mean my community? I thought we all had the same identity? I thought you and I were supposed to help each other with our social obstacles...

White America absolutely fuels inequality.

I toyed with trying to soften that accusatory blow...but fuck it. I've read all of those books I linked except one. I got all day to defend what I've said here.