Ta-Nehisi Coates | Charlie Rose

Ta-Nehisi Coates talks about the presidency of Barack Obama, the role of race in American politics, and his new book, "We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy." The full conversation aired on PBS on October 13, 2017.

[@CSmith-tn8nv]

Coates facial expression when Charlie Rose hacked up a lung at 9:35 ish is priceless. Excellent discussion. Coates is brilliant.

[@spencertullis4297]

😆

[@nasigoreng553]

oh i get it so this really white hating. racial prejudice really does go both ways, I see white man hacks up lung back man cringes coates is brilliant

[@juliew1426]

@@nasigoreng553 I don't think that's what CSmith meant at all. It was pretty disgusting...anyway, Charlie first rudely interrupted him when he was in the middle of making a (most likely) brilliant point...then he hacked up a lung.

[@valpergalit]

Damn, Charlie acts like he's one step away from kicking the bucket here.

[@victoriaallen3753]

I agree with Ta-Nehisi and I will purchase his book!

[@dalicloud9]

why does this video have less than 10,000 views? while a fucking cat video, picked randomly mind you, has many millions of views? also, 9:35 to Charlie's cough. rough.

[@darelpatterson4433]

Ta-Nehisi's face at 9:36 lol!!!!

[@kidsmithree]

I noticed that! Had to replay a couple of times.

[@musondachimba4227]

.

[@totalbliss1]

MasterCard priceless moment...lol!

[@energyideas]

The Arc bends towards chaos. Profound. Thanks.

[@bkbland1626]

It takes a long time to unlearn cultural racism, especially when NO effort is being made.

[@mountainlinx]

Brilliant man!!!

[@TimeIdle]

After watching the video, I was going to scroll down and comment "This man is brilliant". Then I see your post. :-)

[@joeyd2498]

Blank Spott, so blacks don't get to deconstruct white identity. Okay. There's so much I'd like to say, but let's get to the framing, the 16-on-center, if you will, before choosing the color of the shingles. So I'm curious...how would you define white identity? I mean, other than the inhehent racism that comes with even using the term white,in this context. How would you define it? White isn't a culture, you know.

[@joeyd2498]

Blank Spott, the claim that Obama isn't black because he is half "white" is absurd on it's face.

[@jonathanvian2607]

David Linx why is this man brilliant?

[@shanesawyer5103]

@Bennett McCoy He’s smarter than you & a much better writer. But I think you know that.

[@TheDanielLivingston]

Interesting man. I remember reading his case for reparations in The Atlantic many years ago. I need to look more into his work

[@KristinStJohn]

excellent discussion

[@melsahib]

"Offend the hierarchy"

[@yesgregyes1416]

"I just don't know..." As much as I love Martin Luther King, as much as I love the metaphor of the moral arc bending toward justice, I have to admit, saying "I just don't know" takes more guts. And MLK was the gutsiest of the gutsy! We're lucky to have this voice on the national stage. Can't wait to buy your book, Ta-Nehisi.

[@tupd]

Takes MORE guts than knowingly sacrificing your life and that of your family? You are completely bugging.

[@probablyprocrastinating59]

@@tupd I don't think the implication was that Coates saying "I just don't know" is more gutsy than the entirety of MLK's career as an activist. It seems clear to me that the intent was to point out that fighting for the future when you don't know if it'll amount to anything substantial is more courageous than if you believe that enough sheer effort will provide lasting change. Although, I'd say that the confidence that his work would bring change was part of what made him an effective leader.

[@robertfoedisch9322]

Definitely honest

[@Zig_Was_Here]

I hope the Charlie Rose entire archive is made available commercially. Sooner than later. He may be a man that has made mistakes, and he may have handled things poorly. But his interviews will always be informative on all subjects he spoke on with his guests. And we are poorer as a species not having access to this catalogue of discussions & interviews.

[@BloggerMusicMan]

I'm a white Canadian who is generally sympathetic about historic and contemporary racism but skeptical of certain aspects of the modern "woke" movement. Coates is sometimes associated with this movement. I certainly have my disagreements with Coates, but I see him as different from most of this movement. He is a much better writer. He has a keen sense of style. He has much more interesting insights. He is to this generation what Baldwin and Wright were to theirs. Like Baldwin, he is also willing to debate his opponents and respond to criticism.

[@D_isco_D_ancer]

Coates is the truthful inheritor of The Hitch legacy (And Gore Vidal). A master orator, the best in America for sure.

[@zackosborn1731]

Coates will never be remotely close to Hitchens.

[@D_isco_D_ancer]

Can you add somthing more to that or are you going to leave it like that? If so, its not even worth what I just wrote. If you know anything about The Hitch you should have done better. Coats in every interview that you will find in youtube is fearless, articulated, inspiring, all of the time his comebacks are jaw dropping intellectialy, morally and oratoricly. Yes he deserve that recognition.

[@kyljns1210]

Hitch did vote for Obama. But on the issue of race, read his Slate columns www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/fighting_words/2008/04/obama_is_no_king.html He was disgusted about Obama's loose associations to disgusting black nationalists like Louis Farrkhan and Jeremiah Wright. Ta Nehsi Coates, although he is smart, holds Obama in too much of high-esteem.

[@tupd]

It often feels like so many people are shocked when they hear an intelligent black man speak articulately that they automatically thrust him to "God orator". I respect him but Coates doesnt say anything profound or masterful here.

[@shanesawyer5103]

Kyle Jones You mentioned four black men & you only spelled one name (Obama) correctly. Well done.

[@donnelltimmons8616]

I've read all three of his books. I've seen and heard him speak in person. One of the greatest writers/thinkers of our time. Please share this video!!!

[@VVVY777]

Fuck no.

[@bigsassyster]

He sounds like Hitler

[@ouranoswealthgroup7042]

There is no identity politics in talking about Medicare. The group of ppl you’re talking about are economically poor people that could be 25 year old with the way the unemployment rate fluctuates since both recessions

[@markallen9600]

Does Rose seem to have an attitude?

[@beenz07]

It's actually sad to see his portrayal of Obama as unique, in regards to acceptance and being black. I wonder if Coates would be so misanthropic if he had some childhood friends who just loved him for him. This man seems to be a uniquely communicative purveyor of identity politics, but that's about it. Perhaps calling him the last kid picked in gym class, or the quintessential example of a sour grapes mentality is a bit reductive, but only a bit. My problem with Coates is he claims to know to much, especially when it comes to what white America is and what is in its heart and mind. I wonder if it's lost on him that he is likely more well known (and therefore popular) with whites than blacks. I'm sue he would remark that this is merely due to the horrific disparities in education, but anyone making this claim would have to assume the content he produces is actually educational.

[@gengiz80]

I agree with coates you can't idenity is in every conversion about politics or economics in America. He just specializes in racial idenity politics and communicates experiences that the dominate culture doesn't have to think about.

[@thenrepeat9124]

Hello, a year later now it looks like he gets credit for making reparations a household term. I'm not racist but I don't limit my understanding or my opinions the way he does. He's very selective in his approach and as an arm chair critic : in all the research he claims to do he forgets to mention the African captors that are roundabout also his ancestors. And the institution of slavery well under way before Europeans' interest in it. To take on the subject of slavery in such a big way, he sure seems to take on the subject of slavery in a very small way! His terminology for whites seems arrogant esp. if you consider what his status would be were it not for Whites leading the way out of slavery and the Brits going as far as to patrol African coasts to stamp out the trading. His eyes take on a kind of satisfaction every time he says "white" or white people or white supremacists or white priveledge". Is it me? Oh well. Similarly, If I felt like I was learning something I would give him more attention but I don't feel that he's out to educate but to teach a new way to hate and complain. Honestly, my gut tells me he doesn't even think Reparations would fix any problems as he makes no mention that I'm aware of that he has a plan once $'s paid. Could be he's getting away with being a racist sicko on a public platform in which case maybe he's a genius.

[@moro5880]

@@thenrepeat9124 You are the problem he is talking about.

[@shanesawyer5103]

@EverydaySkeptic You should try to learn the difference between “to” and “too”.

[@TashiTV3D]

9:36!!!! Cover your cough

[@ThisOldHat]

The arc of the universe bends toward justice, the problem is "justice" can mean very different things depending on what we as humans are worthy of, punishment or reward.

[@tonydatuna13]

The gatekeeper of black thought. ( not any more)

[@warren9402]

Nope, he has thoughts but certainly not above scrutiny.

[@davidkippy101]

Coates believes in reparations. Not someone who should be taken seriously.

[@greg5326]

I was upset by Barack Obama, but this guy is absolutely delusional if he thinks it was Barack's normalcy that upset me. I was very happy to have a President represent Black America in a positive manner. I STILL HATE SOCIALISM! GET THAT THROUGH YOUR THICK HEADS!

[@xanderx8661]

Greg Bystroff so do you hate FDR too?

[@shanesawyer5103]

He must really hate all the bailouts of corporations that Trump is about to do

[@jbvideoshow]

THIS GUY IS WRONG!!!!!! “When you're white in this country. You are taught everything belongs to you.” 
- Ta-Nehisi Coates “For white people I think the experience of being a hip-hop fan and not being able to use the word “”, it’s actually very very insightful it will give you just a little peek into the world of what it means to be black.” “Because to be black is to walk through the world and watch people doing things that you can not do. You can’t join in and do." -Ta-Nehisi Coates

[@Bert1991-]

9:35 Ta Nehisi Coates was like "da fuck's goin on widdis white muthafucka"

[@breakingbeans]

Obamas own family said he was born in Kenya.

[@shanesawyer5103]

@breakingbeans Nope. But you’re definitely an idiot.

[@simetry6477]

I think this guy is a nice man, but reminds me of the song, love me I'm a liberal.

[@simetry6477]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2aVgK1japmJj9k

[@blankspott4467]

Lol at these clowns in the comments pretending this parrot is some sort of intellectual or "orator". Mike Enoch would DESTROY this clown.

[@1Anthony607]

Blank Spott do not know who you are talking about or what you were talking about so the person you're talking must be as relevant as your conversation

[@kimberlybrock783]

Who...?

[@shanesawyer5103]

Nobody has heard of that guy, Blank.