Introduction
The second section of Between the World and Me, a book written by Ta-Nehisi Coates, regards his memories about Howard University, the inequities faced by African-American people, and the journey to understand oneself. The author describes his concerns, fears, and anxieties about his place in the world as an African-American person. In the 1980s and 1990s, the situation around racial tension did not improve significantly, and the minorities still struggled. However, Coates also depicts his hopes and aspirations for the future after meeting his wife and the birth of his son, demonstrating the ever-changing nature of life.
Howard University and The Mecca
After the early years in Baltimore, Coates enrolled at Howard University, which he would later call his Mecca. Although the author does consider the educational establishment his alma mater, there are differences between the university itself and The Mecca. Coates states (2015), “I was admitted to Howard University, but formed and shaped by The Mecca. These institutions are related but not the same” (p. 28). The Mecca was the center of the African-American community, and the author, contrary to his life in Baltimore, found people with similar mindsets and goals there. Such a contrast allowed Coates to see better sides of life and even further increase his connection to African-American heritage.
Social Connections
Alongside the knowledge that the author had acquired in The Mecca, he also met people that would later become his best friends and family. The men he befriended and the women he fell in love with were his connections to the unknown world. The author states (2015), “every girl I’ve ever loved was a bridge to somewhere else. Your mother, who knew so much more of the world than me” (p. 56). Acquiring new knowledge and connections, Coates felt that he was getting close to understanding himself and his place in the world. Furthermore, his life drastically changed with the birth of his son, Samori. After starting family, Coates reflected on life, and his focus shifted from the philosophical discussions to the well-being of his child.
Police Brutality
Nevertheless, the constant struggle and discrimination that African-American people face have not disappeared. It became most evident in the case of the murder of Prince Carmen Jones, one of the closest friends of the author. In The Mecca, Coates heard rumors of police brutality and injustice by the PG County Department. According to the author and most of his friends, Prince Carmen Jones was an intelligent man with aspirations and would never hurt another person, but it did not save him. The officer from the PG Country Department followed Prince to Virginia and murdered him claiming it was self-defense. Coates was not angry at the officer specifically but instead furious at the whole country. The author states (2015), “The killer was the direct expression of all his country’s beliefs” (p. 52). This event even further amplified the hatred toward the system and its flaws.
Conclusion
Summing up, the second part of Between the World and Me describe the hardships and inequities that the author went through during his youth. However, the darkest moments alternate with the brightest times, and the life of Ta-Nehisi Coates is not an exception. After experiencing the cruel life in Baltimore, the injustice of PG County Police, and the ever-present doubts of his place in the world, the author was still able to find his peace. The new life in The Mecca, meeting his wife, and the birth of his son are all the moments that make life so precious. In an address to Samori, Coates declares (2015), “I am not a cynic. I love you, and I love the world, and I love it more with every new inch I discover” (p. 48). Ultimately, the second section of the book reveals that no matter what hardships one might face, it is still possible to find inner peace and strive for a better future.
Reference
Coates, T. -N. (2015). Between the World and Me. Spiegel & Grau.