In Kent Lecture, award-winning author traces attacks on democracy to legacy of slavery, racism
For Ta-Nehisi Coates, writing is a way of telling the truth boldly without coddling the reader, but not without offering hope.
That means acknowledging the brutal legacy of slavery and Black oppression, both throughout American history and today. It means telling a story about this country that is real and raw that not only illuminates the Black experience, but informs an understanding of how racism has driven ongoing attacks on the electoral process.
These attacks, Coates said, have deep roots: “For the majority of American history, this country has argued to itself that Black people are not fit to be equal citizens.” Thus, the rise of Black people in electoral politics including the election of the first Black president has corresponded to a growing disbelief in the legitimacy of the American state.
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Renowned author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates will join a conversation with University of Chicago students as part of this year’s George E. Kent Lecture on May 20.
Hosted by the Organization of Black Students annually since 1984, the lecture series has featured leading Black scholars, writers and activists in commemoration of Kent the late literature professor who was one of the first Black professors to earn tenure at UChicago. The series is now held in partnership with the Harris School of Public Policy.
Ta-Nehisi Coates
For this year’s session, undergraduate students Jackson Overton-Clark and Debbie Adewale, co-political chairs of OBS, will host a Q&A discussing topics ranging from Coates’ writing to contemporary political and cultural events. The public is welcome to register here for the free virtual event, which will begin at 6 p.m. CT.