Summary Of Between The World And Me

In Coates book Between the World and Me, he states the history of African American and violence of being an African American child in this country. Coates reminds us that racial distinction is nothing new and he described this is foundation of America and has never gone away. He especially mentioned the Lincoln’s Gettysburg speech. Coates states, “The question is not whether Lincoln truly meant ‘government of the people’ but what our country has, throughout its history, taken the political term ‘people’ to actually mean” (6). Coates expresses that the problem is who they consider actually be “people” (6). Lincoln’s “people” (Coates 6) and politician’s “people” (Coates 6) were not the same, then who is and who is not a person. Lincoln indicated
the people include white, black, and even woman. He did not specify the people. However, politician’s people were white people especially white man at that time. Lincoln’s “people” (Coates 6) did not match under the political term “people” (Coates 6). Not only African American but also white woman could not vote. He is pointing out the flaws in the society’s system.