Digest

In this episode of The Sunday Story, Aisha Roscoe interviews Tana Hasi Coates, author of the new book "The Message." The episode delves into Coates's journey to Senegal, South Carolina, and the West Bank, exploring the power of literature and art in shaping politics and culture. Coates discusses the origins of "The Message," revealing it stemmed from an unfinished writing assignment. He emphasizes the profound influence of literature and art on politics, citing the Charlottesville rally as an example. He argues that our cultural narratives, including monuments, stories, and media, significantly shape our political landscape. Coates explains his decision to travel to Senegal, South Carolina, and the West Bank for "The Message," aiming to ground his abstract arguments in tangible experiences. He believes that powerful writing clarifies and makes the world tangible, emphasizing the importance of personal experience in conveying complex ideas. Coates shares his deeply moving experience at the Door of No Return in Senegal, a memorial to the victims of the Atlantic slave trade. Despite knowing the historical truth, he was overcome with emotion, highlighting the powerful impact of place and memory. He reflects on the complexities of African identity and the need to move beyond the metrics of the enslavers. Coates discusses the book bans and censorship surrounding his previous work, "Between the World and Me." He argues that the focus should not be on the author's personal offense but on the impact on children and students who are denied access to diverse perspectives. He emphasizes the importance of literature in fostering critical thinking and challenging established beliefs. Coates explains his decision to write extensively about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in "The Message," acknowledging the controversy surrounding his previous use of German reparations to Israel as an example in "The Case for Reparations." He emphasizes the need to engage with complex issues through personal experience and critical reflection. Coates critiques the structural problems within journalism, particularly regarding the lack of diverse voices in covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He argues that journalists should strive for greater representation and inclusion, ensuring that those directly affected by policies have a platform to tell their stories. Coates concludes the interview by reflecting on the message of his book, emphasizing its connection to the tradition of black writing and the black freedom struggle. He sees "The Message" as a bridge between past and future, calling for continued action and engagement in the pursuit of justice and equality.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Power of Literature and Art in Shaping Politics and Culture

Tana Hasi Coates discusses his new book, "The Message," exploring the power of literature and art in shaping politics and culture, while reflecting on his journeys to Senegal, South Carolina, and the West Bank, and addressing issues like book bans and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

00:05:10

The Importance of Personal Experience in Writing

Coates explains his decision to travel to Senegal, South Carolina, and the West Bank for "The Message," aiming to ground his abstract arguments in tangible experiences. He believes that powerful writing clarifies and makes the world tangible, emphasizing the importance of personal experience in conveying complex ideas.

00:11:42

The Impact of Book Bans and Censorship

Coates discusses the book bans and censorship surrounding his previous work, "Between the World and Me." He argues that the focus should not be on the author's personal offense but on the impact on children and students who are denied access to diverse perspectives. He emphasizes the importance of literature in fostering critical thinking and challenging established beliefs.

00:19:26

The Importance of Diverse Perspectives in Journalism

Coates critiques the structural problems within journalism, particularly regarding the lack of diverse voices in covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He argues that journalists should strive for greater representation and inclusion, ensuring that those directly affected by policies have a platform to tell their stories.

Keywords

Q&A

• How does Tana Hasi Coates view the relationship between literature and politics?

  Coates believes that literature and art have a profound influence on politics, shaping our understanding of issues and influencing our political choices. He argues that cultural narratives, including monuments, stories, and media, play a significant role in shaping our political landscape.

• What is the significance of Coates's journey to Senegal, South Carolina, and the West Bank for his book "The Message"?

  Coates's travels to these three locations were intended to ground his abstract arguments in tangible experiences. He believes that powerful writing clarifies and makes the world tangible, emphasizing the importance of personal experience in conveying complex ideas.

• How does Coates address the issue of book bans and censorship in "The Message"?

  Coates argues that the focus should not be on the author's personal offense but on the impact on children and students who are denied access to diverse perspectives. He emphasizes the importance of literature in fostering critical thinking and challenging established beliefs.

• What is Coates's perspective on the role of diverse perspectives in journalism, particularly in covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

  Coates critiques the structural problems within journalism, particularly regarding the lack of diverse voices in covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He argues that journalists should strive for greater representation and inclusion, ensuring that those directly affected by policies have a platform to tell their stories.

• What is the overarching message of "The Message" according to Coates?

  Coates sees "The Message" as a bridge between the past and future, connecting the tradition of black writing and the black freedom struggle to the next generation of writers and activists. He emphasizes the importance of continuing the fight for justice and equality, acknowledging that this fight will not always be easy or convenient.

Show Notes