Democratic Primaries

Chitown Kev

(2,197 posts)

229. Again...Coates is not an academic

Thu Jul 4, 2019, 07:13 PM

Jul 2019

he didn't even get his BA from Howard University (not saying that as a putdown, he's written about that)

An "academic" implies that he has a BA, MA, and probably a PhD...he is a scholar, yes.

He's most often compared to James Baldwin (who did not have academic credentials...when Baldwin began to teach, it was very late in his writing career long after he was famous)...I disagree with that comparison as well (for complicated reasons) but Baldwin's and Coates' careers do share some similarities in trajectory.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

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Ta-Nehisi Coates: "Joe Biden Shouldn't Be President" [View all] Autumn Jun 2019 OP

Who is Ta-Nehisi Coates and what makes him an authority on who should be president? George II Jun 2019 #1

Don't worry BeyondGeography Jun 2019 #4

Imaginative allegation. LanternWaste Jun 2019 #14

You read "Between the World and Me"? Act_of_Reparation Jun 2019 #28

I read it. It was exceptional. nt DesertRat Jun 2019 #32

And you know this for sure! Butterflylady Jun 2019 #137

Biden's supporters are older black voters. Honestly, candidates simply can not gain the support of emmaverybo Jun 2019 #153

Actually, Biden's support pretty much correlates with age Chitown Kev Jul 2019 #215

Biden still leads in perception of electability. So many Americans must not be clued in to the emmaverybo Jul 2019 #228

Let me reword that. SouthernProgressive Jul 2019 #189

That too BeyondGeography Jul 2019 #193

You think younger black voters are too gullible to avoid being swayed by Coates but white voters StarfishSaver Jul 2019 #199

From I've heard, he was most helpful in the anti-Hillary campaign in 2016. nt Kahuna7 Jun 2019 #5

Yep...another "rip the Democratic party apart" folks. Mars and Minerva Jun 2019 #35

NO... you don''t understand lapfog_1 Jun 2019 #83

Welcome to primary season. backscatter712 Jun 2019 #87

WORD!!!! True Dough Jun 2019 #126

That is a complete fantasy. Mars and Minerva Jun 2019 #142

I'm shocked you don't know who he is. Autumn Jun 2019 #12

As I asked, what make him an authority on who should (actually should not) be President? George II Jun 2019 #15

He's a Black American author and journalist with an opinion? Your opinion is that Biden should Autumn Jun 2019 #39

Last I saw no one posted an OP about me saying anyone should NOT be president.... George II Jun 2019 #50

Well you're not an author and journalist so I imagine what you think is only interesting to Autumn Jun 2019 #58

But you find him enough of an "authority" to post a Biden-bashing OP based on his opinion. Okay. George II Jun 2019 #77

So the problem here is that I posted his interview? Yet you recommend and comment in a positive Autumn Jun 2019 #120

And the insults keep flowing, thanks! George II Jun 2019 #121

I haven't insulted you yet. Autumn Jun 2019 #131

Not George, but I'd have to disagree. TwilightZone Jun 2019 #133

Did you read his post I responded to? There's reason Ta-Nehisi Coates gets posted here often. Autumn Jun 2019 #135

I second your emotion. Personal insult it was. emmaverybo Jun 2019 #151

Goerge II, without me being impertinent I will try to explain someone's answer to you Perseus Jun 2019 #127

George isn't the one being insulting. TwilightZone Jun 2019 #129

. George II Jun 2019 #134

That's not an insult, it's a fact. George is not a public figure which is why there are no OPs Autumn Jun 2019 #136

Because Biden leads with black voters, critics are bound to examine his relationship now emmaverybo Jun 2019 #158

Dayum fine post, emmavertybo. sheshe2 Jun 2019 #177

Coming from you sheshe2, whose comments I so frequently admire, good to hear. emmaverybo Jun 2019 #178

You said it far better than I ever could. sheshe2 Jun 2019 #180

After the debate, Kamala's support from black voters went up - Biden's down womanofthehills Jul 2019 #237

Right now his support is still stronger than hers. But then his civil rights record is as well. NT emmaverybo Jul 2019 #239

The old adage about opinions comes to mind. BannonsLiver Jun 2019 #186

It come to my mind very often there are so many opinions here. Autumn Jun 2019 #187

Keen observation. Demit Jun 2019 #41

Ta-Nehisi Coates's one of, if not the most, important voices in the US for the current reparations Celerity Jun 2019 #93

Now there's a big loser for the General election. Keep it up. Four more for Trump redstateblues Jun 2019 #107

I made no statement of support or non-support for reparations. Celerity Jun 2019 #112

Here's what I hate about political blogs like DU (and DK where I write regularly)...sometimes Chitown Kev Jul 2019 #232

Yep. LuvNewcastle Jul 2019 #235

Talk of reparations has to wait until Dems are in the WH. oasis Jul 2019 #238

The same that makes you an authority of you or any other American tulipsandroses Jun 2019 #156

I haven't proclaimed that any of our candidates "should not be president". George II Jun 2019 #167

. Hassin Bin Sober Jun 2019 #25

I knew someone would come through as soon as I read the OP. SMC22307 Jun 2019 #128

LOL Act_of_Reparation Jun 2019 #17

See... Chicago1980 Jun 2019 #97

The Golden Child is a great Eddie Murphy movie. aidbo Jun 2019 #165

WTH? You don't know TNC? aikoaiko Jun 2019 #18

Oh, he's only zentrum Jun 2019 #19

Is that "self-appointed"? What makes him one of THE most important? George II Jun 2019 #24

This is getting beyond the pale. zentrum Jun 2019 #40

Post removed Post removed Jun 2019 #45

Exactly.Really zentrum Jun 2019 #53

It probably will. Act_of_Reparation Jun 2019 #57

What's worse than ignorance is not asking questions. Why dump on someone... LAS14 Jun 2019 #115

I guess that includes me then! True Blue American Jun 2019 #65

But you knew who he was before today, right? Act_of_Reparation Jun 2019 #68

No, I never heard of him True Blue American Jun 2019 #69

Just one. Act_of_Reparation Jun 2019 #74

Vaguely True Blue American Jun 2019 #84

Both Coates and Frum wrote for The Atlantic. Act_of_Reparation Jun 2019 #88

I didn't know who he was until today. Chemisse Jun 2019 #95

It's more than absurd. You can look at past OPs about Ta-Nehisi Coates and people who are Autumn Jun 2019 #138

Bazinga! Hassin Bin Sober Jun 2019 #141

Interesting pic you posted. nt sheshe2 Jun 2019 #179

Tell me what you know about James Baldwin, Autumn, Langston Hughes, Lorraine Hansberry, August emmaverybo Jun 2019 #182

If I post about James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Lorraine Hansberry, or anyone else. If I Autumn Jun 2019 #183

What you can't defend is your conduct, Autumn. You insult, demean, belittle. It is unwarranted. emmaverybo Jun 2019 #184

I have nothing to defend emmaverybo, I did none of that. Have a nice day nt Autumn Jun 2019 #185

you should maybe sit out the next few rounds Champ qazplm135 Jun 2019 #82

I really hope your ignorance on this matter is not indicative of DU's knowledge of issues tulipsandroses Jun 2019 #157

I'm black. I don't agree with that assessment. Kahuna7 Jun 2019 #61

I don't agree because he doesn't cover any other issues treestar Jun 2019 #147

I think the name was connected with that useless True Blue American Jun 2019 #21

Exactly. He screwed us in 2016 and will do it again. nt Kahuna7 Jun 2019 #62

I did too ,but True Blue American Jun 2019 #64

How... Chitown Kev Jul 2019 #208

Post removed Post removed Jun 2019 #33

you obvoiusly did not watch his speech at the hearing for slave restoration Perseus Jun 2019 #94

Well, there is this. zentrum Jul 2019 #188

Coates should keep his opinion to himself onetexan Jul 2019 #196

If you don't know who he is smooth64 Jul 2019 #198

He is probably the most influential Black intellectual in America today samir.g Jul 2019 #204

Reminded of another "renowned" academician, Cornell West (who never had a positive thing to say... hlthe2b Jul 2019 #213

West sharply criticized Coates Chitown Kev Jul 2019 #216

you just proved my point. West never had a positive thing to say about Obama. hlthe2b Jul 2019 #221

you are so wrong Chitown Kev Jul 2019 #217

No, YOU ARE WRONG and apparently had difficulty reading that I was writing about West's disdain hlthe2b Jul 2019 #220

But you are grouping Coates with West Chitown Kev Jul 2019 #222

I said one reminded me of the other. Both well known and opinionated AA academicians. hlthe2b Jul 2019 #223

Coates isn't an academic, though Chitown Kev Jul 2019 #225

TNC is #4 on this list of 25 Black Scholars / Cornell West is #24 hlthe2b Jul 2019 #226

Again...Coates is not an academic Chitown Kev Jul 2019 #229

asked and answered fully: Scholar is a synonym for academic, as is "intellectual" which you used hlthe2b Jul 2019 #230

An academic is something very specific Chitown Kev Jul 2019 #233

again you are foolishly arguing against your own points. hlthe2b Jul 2019 #234

Sigh ... StarfishSaver Jul 2019 #236

Ruh ro! Hassin Bin Sober Jun 2019 #2

Fair. I know it sounds harsh but it is what it is. BeckyDem Jun 2019 #3

Ta Nehisi Coates was born in 1975 NYMinute Jun 2019 #6

Teh evil Sirota mastermind! Hassin Bin Sober Jun 2019 #11

100+ True Blue American Jun 2019 #23

A black man born in Baltimore has "less of an idea" what it was like for AAs?? Demit Jun 2019 #63

Post removed Post removed Jun 2019 #70

The black experience did not end with slavery. When did Jim Crow end? Demit Jun 2019 #78

Believe it. Caliman73 Jun 2019 #110

this is wrong on so many levels shanny Jun 2019 #79

WTF did you just type? qazplm135 Jun 2019 #86

What an astoundingly ignorant comment. Chitown Kev Jul 2019 #210

And what so many white USers don't get loyalsister Jun 2019 #98

No one denied the reality of racism NYMinute Jun 2019 #101

He sees Biden through his experience loyalsister Jun 2019 #106

He should go back to writing comics Loki Liesmith Jun 2019 #7

Oh, so now we have a comic author telling us who should NOT be President. George II Jun 2019 #16

Do you not know how to use Google? Act_of_Reparation Jun 2019 #20

I see who he is, a 45-year old with an attitude, and he's telling every who should NOT be president? George II Jun 2019 #22

But if he were an anonymous septuagenarian with an attitude telling everyone who SHOULD be president Act_of_Reparation Jun 2019 #26

Who said that? What "anonymous septuagenarian" has been telling us who should be president? But... George II Jun 2019 #36

I find your posthoc rationalization amusing. Act_of_Reparation Jun 2019 #42

Whatever. George II Jun 2019 #44

I mean, you understand how mutually exclusive propositions work, right? Act_of_Reparation Jun 2019 #49

"than it is finding reasons why any of them should not." Hassin Bin Sober Jun 2019 #59

Civil rights icon John Lewis backs Biden, says segregationist comments were not offensive Gothmog Jun 2019 #123

See. John Lewis has an opinion too. Autumn Jun 2019 #132

I can respect and admire John Lewis and regard him as a hero Chitown Kev Jul 2019 #231

so this person is a cartoonist? .....,.well now im REALLY gonna pay attn! ;/ samnsara Jun 2019 #38

He's a writer. An award-winning author. A MacArthur genius award recipient. Demit Jun 2019 #54

"You'll find out who he is and what he's done" makes for better writing and avoids a juvenile emmaverybo Jun 2019 #155

You seriously don't like his Black Panther? Cuthbert Allgood Jun 2019 #29

Same. Act_of_Reparation Jun 2019 #37

He had some fiction last week (?) in the New Yorker tishaLA Jun 2019 #48

That was a beautiful story. Voltaire2 Jun 2019 #144

Not our most enlightened days for racial dialogue on DU. BlueWI Jun 2019 #146

I mean...really Chitown Kev Jul 2019 #224

Next! Scurrilous Jun 2019 #8

African American South Carolinians weigh in on Biden's comments stonecutter357 Jun 2019 #9

Well, that's the opinion of Ta-Nehisi Coates, and I don't plan to consult him for voting advice. Miles Archer Jun 2019 #10

She asks for his thoughts ucrdem Jun 2019 #13

He tried to sway the 2016 primary by announcing he would be voting for Sanders. SouthernProgressive Jun 2019 #27

Trump can thank Susan Sarandon and Coates for their help in 2016. oasis Jun 2019 #60

Because that one more vote in California would have made all the difference LiberalLovinLug Jun 2019 #113

"ONE VOTE IN CALIFORNIA"? As if influence over MSM airwaves oasis Jun 2019 #143

One vote LiberalLovinLug Jun 2019 #150

Ya know, I just knew this in my gut after reading what he wrote. lark Jun 2019 #105

I wonder who that is. nt Honeycombe8 Jun 2019 #30

who...AND WHY... the fuck is his quote important enuff to be posted here? samnsara Jun 2019 #31

Oh has this been posted? He is popular and gets posted here often, has been for years. Autumn Jun 2019 #52

Thank you. shanny Jun 2019 #80

Between this OP and Third Way admitting they were wrong... SMC22307 Jun 2019 #130

A few days ago I posted in one of these "Biden is bad" threads a picture of Biden wearing (gasp!)... George II Jun 2019 #124

It is very telling how many Biden threads there are treestar Jun 2019 #148

There are plenty of negative threads Voltaire2 Jun 2019 #160

I haven't seen them treestar Jun 2019 #171

Lulzd. Voltaire2 Jun 2019 #172

LInk to some treestar Jun 2019 #173

I've also noticed that obamanut2012 Jul 2019 #240

TNC knows what is what. aikoaiko Jun 2019 #34

not sure what tnc is either samnsara Jun 2019 #43

You have already shown you don't have a clue... tonedevil Jun 2019 #66

I cannot believe DUers are trashing TNC aikoaiko Jun 2019 #46

His is anti Hillary stance helped elect Trump redstateblues Jun 2019 #109

I don't recall him being anti-HRC. He had criticisms for both Bernie and HRC aikoaiko Jun 2019 #125

Why are you surprised? MicaelS Jul 2019 #227

Mr Coates got roasted by lots of the Sanders folks here in 16 tishaLA Jun 2019 #47

it seems different KayF Jun 2019 #51

Because we're on a trajectory. Act_of_Reparation Jun 2019 #55

He's actually smart and beautifully expressive. But I disagree with him. nolabear Jun 2019 #56

No snark: I'm so relieved to see your post tishaLA Jun 2019 #92

I know. We have gone way too far in the direction of sniping for an audience. nolabear Jun 2019 #99

Thank you for that. I don't always agree with him on something but his writing and his Autumn Jun 2019 #119

He wasn't "celebrating" his relationship with the guy. BlueTsunami2018 Jun 2019 #67

Merriam-Webster: Hassin Bin Sober Jun 2019 #72

Maybe if Biden hadn't garbled the story he's told before, people wouldn't be so confused. Demit Jun 2019 #75

Spin: That is not what TNC said. crazytown Jun 2019 #76

Post removed Post removed Jun 2019 #71

I wish they'd just let him back into the Senate somehow. Demit Jun 2019 #90

Thanks for this. I watch Democracy Now almost every morning and saw this interview. The whole Nanjeanne Jun 2019 #73

Post removed Post removed Jun 2019 #81

+1 Celerity Jun 2019 #96

Does that apply if the alternative is fn Trump? Thomas Hurt Jun 2019 #85

Democracy Now who did their best to dissuade people from voting for Hillary. still_one Jun 2019 #89

Spin spin spin. Nt BootinUp Jun 2019 #91

We could collect the responses in this thread... tonedevil Jun 2019 #100

As a WOC I'm appalled at what I'm seeing here. What's worse is some of them asking who or Autumn Jun 2019 #139

It is frequently appalling... tonedevil Jun 2019 #140

What did he do to help HRC get elected? lark Jun 2019 #102

He voted for her samir.g Jul 2019 #205

This message was self-deleted by its author Snackshack Jun 2019 #103

I respect his opinion but strongly disagree. Turin_C3PO Jun 2019 #104

I recommend his book, "We Were Eight Years in Power" Retrograde Jun 2019 #108

A great book emulatorloo Jun 2019 #118

So far I've been able to find this story on two sites only. Scurrilous Jun 2019 #111

I'll take the word of John Lewis over Coates any day: George II Jun 2019 #114

Yes. Turin_C3PO Jun 2019 #116

+1 I find it difficult to see those who fought for civil rights relegated to dustbin of history hlthe2b Jun 2019 #161

Post removed Post removed Jun 2019 #122

I'll take them both. John Lewis doesn't have to be offended for TNC to be correct. aikoaiko Jun 2019 #149

Coates is great. I know democracynow wants to destroy Biden, but it's not going to happen. emulatorloo Jun 2019 #117

Under the bus now! BlueWI Jun 2019 #145

...love him or hate him... myohmy2 Jun 2019 #152

The world does not revolve around Polly Hennessey Jun 2019 #154

Here we go again.... OnDoutside Jun 2019 #159

If people giving their opinion on a candidate, one of many, running for president will cause the Autumn Jun 2019 #162

Were you too young to remember the damage done in 2016 by the OnDoutside Jun 2019 #163

The damage I saw was from the electoral college, Russian meddling and 3 states, called the Autumn Jun 2019 #164

You're forgetting depressed African American turnout in key states OnDoutside Jun 2019 #166

You're forgetting voter suppression of millions of votes across the country pnwmom Jun 2019 #168

That's all equally true, but that isn't the discussion at hand. OnDoutside Jun 2019 #169

I think it is. The problem in 2016 wasn't Coates. It was massive voter suppression, pnwmom Jun 2019 #170

that will all still happen, so we need huuuuge turnout treestar Jun 2019 #174

We need to help people get registered AND get proper voter ID's. nt pnwmom Jun 2019 #175

No, I wasn't referring to Coates in 2016, but people like Cornell West, OnDoutside Jun 2019 #181

So, add another shooter to the Democratic Party circular firing squad. Still In Wisconsin Jun 2019 #176

He is not objective. He wants want he wants and that is all. nt UniteFightBack Jul 2019 #190

Neither are you objective. Few are. You want what you want, and what you want is no more Autumn Jul 2019 #191

You are wrong about my objectivity but you are right with few are. nt UniteFightBack Jul 2019 #192

LOL... /nt tonedevil Jul 2019 #195

No. I'm not wrong, you display it time and time again. nt Autumn Jul 2019 #200

Ta-Nehisi Coates DID NOT SUPPORT OBAMA. Midwestocrat Jul 2019 #194

Plenty of people care. Plenty of people don't care. nt Autumn Jul 2019 #201

Who? wyldwolf Jul 2019 #197

I'm not concerned. Obviously you are but I see no need to thank you for your concern Autumn Jul 2019 #202

Did someone thank you for anything? wyldwolf Jul 2019 #203

You did. If your post were about him it would have been "his concern is noted." Autumn Jul 2019 #207

You're Ta-Nehisi Coates???? wyldwolf Jul 2019 #209

Did you post to him? You posted to me, I posted the OP Autumn Jul 2019 #211

I posted about him. wyldwolf Jul 2019 #214

ITT: whitesplaining about how TNC's opinion is invalid and no one knows who he is anyway samir.g Jul 2019 #206

You might not know who he is but a lot of people do know who he is. Autumn Jul 2019 #212

+10000 Celerity Jul 2019 #218

Of course I know who he is. samir.g Jul 2019 #219