Between the World and Me Book Analysis Essay

In the book Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates seeks to expose the brutalities and injustices African Americans face, merely due to their complexion. Through several of his accounts, Coates warns his son of the dooming social structure built against his people and the destruction of Black communities because of it. His story emphasizes the detachment America has between African Americans and human beings and the never-ending struggle to dominate society so pinned against him. While his tale is tragic, he brings a newfound hope to his son through the theme of education and perseverance. Fusing these themes, readers are to understand the atrocious flaws still built within our country.

From the beginning, America has targeted African Americans for the sole purpose of monetization. From slavery to disproportionate incarceration rates, “in America, it is traditional to destroy the black body- it is heritage” (Coates 103). While Coates is reflecting on the torture, workload, and rapings that slaves endured, the utilization of “black bodies” emphasizes the dis attachment Caucasians saw between their slaves and a human soul. From the dawn of this country, African Americans were only seen as property rather than human beings. While time has changed, this mentality has continued to persist to a point where it has simply become “heritage.” Modern examples can be seen today as “60 percent of all young black men who dropout of high school will go to jail” (Coates 27). This shocking statistic proves how black people are continuously targeted by the same social structures that were meant to protect them. It appears that this country continues to pray for their downfall. A black man “must be responsible for the worst actions of other black bodies, which, somehow will always be assigned to [him]” (Coates 71). Through racial stigmas and biases, black individuals are grouped as a whole rather than themselves. One mistake becomes the poster child for the entire community, another piece of evidence to support their prejudice. Coate’s direct interpretation of the dehumanization and detachment between African Americans’ individuality, is meant to prepare his son for the harsh realities that result in such mentalities. 

Coate’s portrayal of education is far more uplifting as he comments on the importance of personal growth and knowledge. Growing up, Coates was surrounded by violence and tragedy as he saw “Eric Garner choke to death for selling cigarettes... Renisha McBride shot for seeking help, and John Crawford shot down for browsing in a department store” (Coates 9). To avoid the same fate, Coates looked towards education to find a sense of purpose. It is when he began his formal education at Howard University that he recognized “that the point of [his] education was a kind of discomfort, was the process that would not award [him his] own especial Dream but would break all the dreams”(Coates 52). While education can help discern problems, it can not bestow concrete solutions. What education provides is a new outlook on the world. It gives us opportunities to see the world as it truly is. By understanding what life presents to him, Coate can reflect on those who have experienced the same struggles and use that knowledge to prepare for his own battles. To him, “possessing the gift of study” allows him, and hopefully, his son, to dismantle the foundation on which racism and injustice have been built on (Coates 33).

 The dis attachment of African American individuality and the impact of education work to represent the tribulations and progression of the black community. Through the harsh and direct tones presented throughout this passage, Coates is efficacious in providing a striking exposition on the constant state of despondency due to racial injustices. His explicit accounts of death, heartache, and perseverance most importantly serve to educate the black youth on the ignorance this country thrives off of. As this is addressed to his son, Coates does not want his son to be bound by fear. After all, “ this is your country, that this is your world, that this is your body, and you must find some way to live within all of it” (Coates 12). While America continues to use race as a way to distinguish the “inferior” from the preferred, there is no way of escaping. It is through education and self-reflection that Coate’s son must navigate this situation. He can not change the life he was born into but only understand the circumstances that transpire. 

Between the World and Me, sheds light on the rampaging issue of racial injustice. Although the U.S.A is glorified as a place with new opportunities and ambition, Coate’s childhood reveals how untrue that statement is. America projects a better way of life while simultaneously disenfranchising its citizens. Despite Coate's pessimistic yet logical point of view, he does advise his audience to enlighten themselves on these issues.  It is only when we choose not to stay ignorant that we can develop a better future.