Best quotes by Ta-Nehisi Coates on History

Checkout quotes by Ta-Nehisi Coates on History

  • There was no United States before slavery. I am sure somebody can make some sort of argument about modern French identity and slavery and North Africa, but there simply is no American history before black people.
    - Ta-Nehisi Coates
  • We have this long history of racism in this country, and as it happens, the criminal justice system has been perhaps the most prominent instrument for administering racism. But the racism doesn't actually come from the criminal justice system.
    - Ta-Nehisi Coates
  • If you are attempting to study American history, and you don't understand the force of white supremacy, you fundamentally misunderstand America.
    - Ta-Nehisi Coates
  • One of the things we tell ourselves as African-Americans is if we work hard, play by the rules, we do start back a little ways, but if we can be twice as good, somehow we can escape history and heritage and legacy.
    - Ta-Nehisi Coates
  • Like a lot of people, I'm very, very concerned about Senator Clinton's record. I'm very, very concerned about where her positions were in the 1990s, when we had some of the most disgusting legislation in terms of our criminal justice, really, in this country's history.
    - Ta-Nehisi Coates
  • If I could have anything - you know, and this is across the board for any presidential candidate - I would have a greater acknowledgment of history in our policy and in our affairs.
    - Ta-Nehisi Coates