I heard you too - it was very interesting. I need to go back and hear the first part of the interview too. And I was glad to hear how to correctly pronounce your name. I'm interested to hear what it (your name) means too!
I liked the comments about Howard. The whole idea of a young black fellow finding out that black people aren't a stereotype was a new one on me. I know you've talked about it before, but somethign about hearing it.
I just heard the interview on NPR here in Phila. Then i read an exercpt on Amazon... I had to order the book. I cant wait to read it! The American Dream!!! It's like my own childhood!!!
Please continue doing what you do! You have a new fan!
As we drove home today from school, listening to Fresh Air, my 17 yr. old daughter asked (enthusiasticly), "Where is Howard University?" (Oops, my bad!) What would have been my usual, long drawn-out, fatherly answer was reduced to two letters, DC and she was listening.
TG's job was easy today, her show lived up to its name once again, I have some new reading to do, and most importantly my daughter's intellectual radar caught a serious blip.
Thanks, Man.
THC, You mentioned in your interview that you met black students from Toronto at Howard. What different points of view did Black Canadians have compared to your American classmates?
Uhm, very little difference in the kids from Canada. Most of the parents were from the islands, but that was true of the New York cats too. The thing is, when it's only black people around you, you tend to focus less on the differences, because there's no other reference point. There's no bigger "white" thing to compare yourself too. So a lot of the "what is and isn't black" talk kinda dissipates. At least, that was my experience.
I'd like to use your book for classes at the Tulsa Academic Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There is not much diversity in these kids lives. Exposure is a wonderful thing. Sharing another reality might be an eye opening experience, and a positive one at that. I need to find something to pry their mids away from the reality of gangs which dominates their youth. Dreaming...I encourage it. Knowledge is the power that might allow some of these young cats to escape in the reality of a world far from their current grasp.
Here's a piece no one cared about. Meh, whatever, probably the most enjoyable article I did during my stint at TIME. Premiered a month before I got laid-off. The nail in the coffin? Ya think?
Here's me going after Al. I didn't so much have a problem with him, as I had a problem with media acting like this dude was the go-to guy for everything black.
This was my first real story at time. I was writing for the Business section, a real change of direction for me. At any rate, it's about Wal-Mart's attempts to colonize the inner-city. As much as I enjoyed this piece, I mostly enjoyed going out to Chicago, which is a beautiful, beautiful city.
This a piece I did about the cops just outside our nation capitol, in Prince George's County, a few years back. I wanted to offer a counter to the dumb, conventional wisdom that if you paint your police force black, you could eradicate police brutality. In fact, Prince George's--one of the richest, blackest counties in the country--also had one of the most brutal police force's in the country.
The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons, and an Unlikely Road to Manhood 
I heard. You did great.
Nice...incidently, what does your name mean?
I heard you too - it was very interesting. I need to go back and hear the first part of the interview too. And I was glad to hear how to correctly pronounce your name. I'm interested to hear what it (your name) means too!
Can't wait to listen to this.
TNC,
Just noticed the paperback cover for TBS. Congrats, man!
But seriously, tell me whose idea the whole "concrete flower" was... ;)
I liked the comments about Howard. The whole idea of a young black fellow finding out that black people aren't a stereotype was a new one on me. I know you've talked about it before, but somethign about hearing it.
I just heard the interview on NPR here in Phila. Then i read an exercpt on Amazon... I had to order the book. I cant wait to read it! The American Dream!!! It's like my own childhood!!!
Please continue doing what you do! You have a new fan!
As we drove home today from school, listening to Fresh Air, my 17 yr. old daughter asked (enthusiasticly), "Where is Howard University?" (Oops, my bad!) What would have been my usual, long drawn-out, fatherly answer was reduced to two letters, DC and she was listening.
TG's job was easy today, her show lived up to its name once again, I have some new reading to do, and most importantly my daughter's intellectual radar caught a serious blip.
Thanks, Man.
To Help out TNC-
He talks about his name here:
http://ta-nehisicoates.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/09/good_question.php
BTW - there is also an interesting conversation about the pronunciation here:
http://www.languagehat.com/archives/003378.php
Great interview...I appreciate your articulate introspection (thank you mom)- I'm playing this interview for my kids.
"Blowing up like you thought I would
Call the crib same number same hood
It's all good..."
Doesn't the "concrete flower" come from some Tupac imagery about a rose growing out of the concrete?
THC, You mentioned in your interview that you met black students from Toronto at Howard. What different points of view did Black Canadians have compared to your American classmates?
Appreciate the Biggie ref...
Uhm, very little difference in the kids from Canada. Most of the parents were from the islands, but that was true of the New York cats too. The thing is, when it's only black people around you, you tend to focus less on the differences, because there's no other reference point. There's no bigger "white" thing to compare yourself too. So a lot of the "what is and isn't black" talk kinda dissipates. At least, that was my experience.
I'd like to use your book for classes at the Tulsa Academic Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There is not much diversity in these kids lives. Exposure is a wonderful thing. Sharing another reality might be an eye opening experience, and a positive one at that. I need to find something to pry their mids away from the reality of gangs which dominates their youth. Dreaming...I encourage it. Knowledge is the power that might allow some of these young cats to escape in the reality of a world far from their current grasp.
I got to hear part of it, towards the end. Loved every minute, TNC, around the part about Howard U being like New York City. Very nice interview.
huh... so that's how you pronounce your name. Go figure.
Great interview. Boy, you sure go hard for Howard.
Nice interview. I thought you had the whole hour, so listening to the first interview was an interesting surprise.
I thought this was first broadcasted around MLK day? Because I totally streamed it in late January.
Anyway, congrats! It was a great listen.
I heard the interview yesterday. You were solid.
"Ghetto-centric thuggism"....
Can i just say that is a genius phrase!!
You sir are a true wordsmith.