Ta-Nehisi Coates: Why Precisely Is Bernie Sanders Against Reparations?

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433. The question remains...

does Coates believe capitalist social relations are the foundational problem ? There is not a single reference or analysis that addresses that in "The Case For Reparations." There is however a multitude of critiques on Coates everywhere on the net as a race reductionist who is unable and unwilling to confront capitalism. The link between institutionalized racism and capitalism is not a fiction...it's historical fact. Capitalism is dependent on racism as the source of plunder, exploitation, oppression and the main vehicle for the ruling class to divide, conquer, and rule while driving much of the working class of all colors to poverty.

What exactly does this horseshit mean in challenging the capitalist power structure that thrives on institutionalized racism tisha ? "A revolution of American consciousness and "Spiritual renewal." That is Coates below in The Case For Reparations. That is meaningless tokenism and symbolism.

" What I’m talking about is more than recompense for past injustices—more than a handout, a payoff, hush money, or a reluctant bribe. What I’m talking about is a national reckoning that would lead to spiritual renewal. Reparations would mean the end of scarfing hot dogs on the Fourth of July while denying the facts of our heritage. Reparations would mean the end of yelling “patriotism” while waving a Confederate flag. Reparations would mean a revolution of the American consciousness, a reconciling of our self-image as the great democratizer with the facts of our history."


Without a commitment to the fight against the capitalist power structure - that enables institutionalized racism - the working-class solidarity needed to gain political power to force change will never be realized. Coates can't find class solidarity with a road map. He's talking about changing attitudes and not challenging power.