Inaprofoundworkthatpivotsfromthebiggestquestions
aboutAmericanhistoryandidealstothemostintimate
concernsofafatherforhisson,Ta--Nehisi-Coatesoffers
apowerfulnewframeworkforunderstandingournation’shistory
andcurrentcrisis.Americanshavebuiltanempireon
theideaof“race,”afalsehoodthatdamagesus
allbutfallsmostheavilyonthebodiesof
blackwomenandmen—bodiesexploitedthroughslaveryandsegregation,
and,today,threatened,lockedup,andmurderedoutof
allproportion.Whatisitliketoinhabita
blackbodyandfindawaytolivewithin
it?Andhowcanweallhonestlyreckonwith
thisfraughthistoryandfreeourselvesfromitsburden?