Summary: In this open letter to his son, Coates discusses how black people in the US have lost their bodies – first to slavery and now to statistically disproportionate murder, imprisonment, and threats.
My Thoughts: This was a short work, but a powerful one. Coates makes the point that “race” is a false way of categorizing humans and that people who view themselves as “white” in the US have built their empire with the blood of people they view as “black.” It is a very personal account of how Coates feels that he and his friends have lost their bodies to this empire. I think it was the personal nature of his letter, combined with intelligent points, that has made this work touch the hearts of so many Americans. This is a must-read for everyone, no matter their race.
Hibernator's Library 
I have been thinking of reading this. I really should. There are so many important and fascinating issues that this book seems to tackle. I have a feeling that I will find that I agree we with some of what Coates has to say but disagree with other things. Nevertheless it seems like a very worthy read.
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Like Toni Morrison says on the cover: essential reading! (And it’s so concise: no excuse not to read it.)
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