THIRD BOOK: THE MESSAGE by ta-nehisi coates
In the first of the book’s three intertwining essays, Coates, on his first trip to Africa, finds himself in two places at once: in Dakar, a modern city in Senegal, and in a mythic kingdom in his mind. Then he takes readers along with him to Columbia, South Carolina, where he reports on his own book’s banning, but also explores the larger backlash to the nation’s recent reckoning with history and the deeply rooted American mythology so visible in that city—a capital of the Confederacy with statues of segregationists looming over its public squares. Finally, in the book’s longest section, Coates travels to Palestine, where he sees with devastating clarity how easily we are misled by nationalist narratives, and the tragedy that lies in the clash between the stories we tell and the reality of life on the ground.
Written at a dramatic moment in American and global life, this work from one of the country’s most important writers is about the urgent need to untangle ourselves from the destructive myths that shape our world—and our own souls—and embrace the liberating power of even the most difficult truths.
WEEK ONE SUMMARY
PART ONE: JOURNALISM IS NOT A LUXURY
[English version] Some of the Prompts and Questions Discussed in Ɛʋɛ - Ewe :
What do you think of the quote that begins the book by George Orwell on why he writes? The quote is: “In a peaceful age I might have written ornate or merely descriptive books, and might have remained almost unaware of my political loyalties. As it is I have been forced into becoming a sort of pamphleteer.”
What do you think of the James Baldwin quote that begins Part I? Where he says: “though we do not wholly believe it yet, the interior life is a real life, and the intangible dreams of people have a tangible effect on the world.”
What are your thoughts on what he says that for black people, a people whose history includes oppression that writing is not simply writing, it always implicitly has some political or human rights embedded with it?
What do you think about the part where he notes it is our responsibility to examine the stories we have been told and decide to tell new stories?
For the general discussion group, we also watched clips from this interview of Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao. Click here to watch the video: Video of Interview with Dr. Arikana.
[English version] Highlights from the Group Discussion in Ɛʋɛ - Ewe:
Part One of the book seems to be like the soul is calling. By that I mean, one who witnesses injustice cannot just write about the flowers and sun, it is natural that the soul seeks to be a part of the change.
The James Baldwin quote is the truth. It is so surprising how so many people have been conditioned to put more reliance on the external world and forget that everything around us came from an idea in someone’s heart, mind or soul. So, that must mean we are pretty powerful inside and need to pay attention to our innerself.
It is true. It goes back to the George Orwell quote that starts the book. Black people even if it is a writer who writes romance or fiction or for children, they feel like they have a duty to write something with substance and with meaning. Because so much history has been hidden or distorted to make black people forget their excellence, when a black author writes, whether they right something good for black people or bad for black people, I think that is the writer’s way of trying to figure out their identity as a black person.
I wholeheartedly advocate for this. Every single thing someone tells you, you have to determine whether it is true for you or not. And if not, write and tell a new story for yourself and for others. I think the author is asking us readers to wake up and be responsible for our families and communities and what stories are sharing and spreading. Are they helping us or hurting us.
WEEK TWO SUMMARY
PART TWO: ON PHARAOHS
[English version] Some of the Prompts and Questions Discussed in Ɛʋɛ - Ewe :
In this Part II, Mr. Coates reminisces about his childhood and the things his parents would collect and the music they would listen to that had positive representations of black people and culture. What is some music or things your parents collected or displayed or listened to?
What do you think of this part of the book and his comments around the plunderer/wrongdoer always needing to find or present justification for their wrongdoing?
It is nice how he shares his honest feelings about his name. What do each of you think about your names and its meaning?
What do you think about his honesty about his first perspective about Africa? A lot of people romanticize even when they see something wrong. What do you think when he essentially says he is worried about whether the lack and inadequacy amongst black communities is global? Also is this a fair perspective considering he is only in one location and has not seen other places to make a fair and full assessment? Kind of like coming to the U.S. for the first time and going to New York and focusing on the areas of uncleanliness there.
In your own words, why is he sad in this Part II?
What are your thoughts about the discussion around skin and the unhealthy perspective that mixed or light skin is better?
For the general discussion group we also watched this video of Hamamat Montia, a successful Ghanaian entrepreneur. Click here to watch the video: Hamamat Montia Instagram Post.
We are fans of Hamamat Montia at the HCJunction so here are a few more links for those who are curious about her business journey and her organization:
Hamamat Montia’s business website: https://hamamat.com/
Here is another short article: DHL’s series on Trailblazing African Women
And, also here is an interview she did. Her segment does not really start till about the 12 minute 11 second mark. And they also tour her shea butter museum and the village where her business is located and they make the shea butter: Interview of Hamamat Montia for TV3 Ghana
[English version] Highlights from the Group Discussion in Ɛʋɛ - Ewe:
I remember my parents and uncle playing Bob Marley a lot and just all of us dancing and enjoying.
I remember when there is a celebration and people are playing drums and dancing Agbaja and music like Hi-Life. And also african statues in the house.
Perhaps that there is good and bad in the colonizers. And the good part of the colonizers is trying to justify the bad part in them.
The plunderers/wrongdoers know and their descendants know what they have done is very very wrong, it is grotesque, it is not human, and it requires depravity and evil to do it. So how can you call yourself good or human unless you make your victim appear to be the same as a cow that you kill and eat for dinner. They want to justify their evilness rather than fix it, correct it, heal it. And some of their descendants continue on this path and others are saying no more evilness in our bloodline and we will acknowledge the wrong and be part of the healing.
Many members shared their names and the meaning behind their names.
In Ewe they have names based on the day of the week you were born and also other cultural names. And many have Christian names that they choose to go by and it was the culture to just go by the Christian names but times have changed so many of us prefer our days of the week name or our african names now. A question was asked on what is the origin of the names of the days of the week in Ewe. No one from the group knew so we all agreed to do some research around this.
Comments included thinking about each part of our names from first name to middle name to last name and the meaning each name means and how the names have significance and are mindful of how we should behave/move through life. So we need to be mindful of the name we give our children because it can be instrumental in forming their character or their Spirit.
It is good to point out when things are wrong. And we should raise our standards but we should raise it for ourselves and not say oh what will white people or Europeans think. We should raise our standards and fix things because we deserve good.
He is sad because haunted by the dark period of slavery and the continued effects it has had. He is haunted by the pain and continued destruction it has had on black people globally. But even with this, I think the African energy is too strong to be defeated because soon the vibrancy of our land consumes him and he is like a child in the marketplace ready to explore the motherland.
The topic of light skin and also bleaching of skin is just another symptom of the effects of colonization that should not be minimized or overlooked or quiet about it. It needs to be addressed head on whenever mentioned.
Even though it is Africa, the colonizers were there and this is a natural consequence of colonization and the colonized mindset. If you are taught that the European way is better and whiter skin is the standard of beauty then of course there will be issues around skin tone and hair, etc.
Some comments also included paraphrasing Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao: “the illness is in the mind and the brain needs to be healed”.
WEEK THREE SUMMARY
PART THREE: BEARING THE FLAMING CROSS
[English version] Some of the Prompts and Questions Discussed in Ɛʋɛ - Ewe :
In this Part III, Mr. Coates reminisces on his childhood and early education experiences. What did you enjoy learning when you were growing up whether in the classroom or at home or with friends or elsewhere?
As a follow up to the above question, what do you enjoy learning now at this stage of your life?
If you could design a school for young children (think 5 years old to 14 years old) what subjects/topics would you have them learning? Would you use tests and exams as a way to test knowledge or another way?
In the scene where Mr. Coates goes to the school board meeting, he talks about how books were instrumental to waking up a lot of people to the racism of their ancestors and its presence still today. What books have been instrumental to you from a social justice perspective?
For the general discussion group, we also watched this video of Dr. Arikana. Click here to watch the video of Dr. Arikana’s Speech on YouTube: HERE.
[English version] Highlights from the Group Discussion in Ɛʋɛ - Ewe:
When it came to discussing what did people enjoy learning when they were a child, whether at school or at home:
Literature
Economics
Summer reading lists
When it came to discussing what are people interested in learning these days, here are some of the topics that arose:
African cultures
Spirituality and Religions in relation to our cultures
How the human body works and the amazing things it is capable of
How movies are made
Successful entrepreneurs and businesses
Agriculture
Architecture
History of indigenous peoples before colonization and their great leaders, culture and knowledge
For the discussion on what type of curriculum or education program would you design for children, here are some highlights from that discussion:
Some of the members noted that it reminded them of a saying in Ewe that roughly translates to “you chew and your pour”. As in, you read the book and then regurgitate it for a test. And really, a new approach to education should be taken to learn each individual’s strengths and interests and help them but also helping them get stronger in areas they need improvement in.
Some would use tests but it would be tests that allow the individual to exercise critical thinking.
One person mentioned take a complete holistic change to education and covering the following topics and not using the traditional testing approach:
Teach real history about all cultures and continents and not lies like Christopher Columbus being the first to find America or falsehoods that neglect what really happened to the Native Americans.
And expose the children to meditation, breathing and yoga.
biology and nutrition so children know how their body and nutrition works.
mathematics.
science and how it is ever evolving and should always be challenged because our knowledge is always expanding.
balance of being an individual and being in community.
agriculture, gardening, farming because everyone should understand where real food comes from.
cooking.
computers and technology.
research and writing and using books.
creative writing.
love, healthy relationships, family, friends, romantic relationships.
And each child would choose a dance or music to try or explore
daily exercise and body movement
and expose the children to building and architecture and engineering
teach entrepreneurship
teach first aid and medicine basics
teach about news and journalism and fact versus opinion and critical thinking
teach about finances and financial wellness
teach about taking care of a household
teach about parenting
Some of the books mentioned that have been instrumental to learning more about social justice include:
"The Three Mothers" by Anna Malaika Tubbs explores the lives of Berdis Baldwin, Alberta King, and Louise Little, the mothers of James Baldwin, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X, respectively, highlighting their profound influence on their sons and the civil rights movement.
“Just as I Am” - Cicely Tyson’s Memoir
The book we are currently reading - “The Message” by Ta-Nehisi Coates
“Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe - the first book we read as a group
“Night” by Elie Wiesel
One member noted that this was the first book they read as a child that really opened their eyes to how a whole community can do such evil but also how that same approach is how a whole community can do such good was Night by Elie Wiesel where he talks about the holocaust. At some point there was mention of these things are like a pyramid. It does not just happen with one person. That one person needs others to agree with them. This applies for good and bad.
“All about Love” by Bell Hooks
One member noted that this was the first book they read about real love. It opened their eyes to all the things that they were doing or did that they just went along with because that was what they knew but now realized that these things were not Love. Like spanking children. Or being silent when you see someone being disrespectful to your loved one even if that other person is a family member. Or people being quiet about sexual abuse or minimizing it. How their choice in relationships (friends and boyfriends) was a signal that they did not know love and did not love themself. And just because people say something is normal does not mean it is right and does not mean it cannot change.
The video we covered in our general discussion group of Dr. Arikana Chihombori’s speech was directly related to the topics raised in the book. Some of the topics included:
A United Africa and practical policies
Common sense government
Changing the african curriculum
Decolonization of the mind and healing oneself of the unconscious colonized mindset
Also in our general discussion group, one of the current events that arose was the following:
Illegal mining of gold in Ghana and issues over natural resources in Ghana and illegal activities and partnering with foreign entities; and how the current administration is making progress towards the fight towards this. And the recent death of the Minister of Defence, Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed in a helicopter crash and how the investigation into this helicopter is being handled. And the timing of the accident is very concerning. And how the illegal mining organizations are trying to fight to keep their hold.
One person mentioned the illegal and foreign entities are fighting for the soul of Ghana, Ghana’s resources.
The natural resources and environment are being impacted so much that agriculture is negatively impacted and contaminated and poisoned that more and more food/fruit/vegetables need to be imported.
And one person mentioned that there is potentially or appears to be a rise in health issues around this too for the people and newborns too.
And the Ghana water utility companies have noted increased costs because of their equipment and the process to provide clean drinking water because of the pollutants.
WEEK FOUR SUMMARY
PART FOUR: THE GIGANTIC DREAM
[English version] Some of the Prompts and Questions Discussed in Ɛʋɛ - Ewe :
In this Part IV, Mr. Coates talks about his experience traveling to Palestine. What did you think of what he observed during his trip?
How has your life or perspective changed since reading this book?
For the general discussion group, we watched and discussed a video summary of the land of Palestine and the creation of Israel and the Belfour Declaration.
[English version] Highlights from the Group Discussion in Ɛʋɛ - Ewe:
Some members were not aware of the history of the land of Palestine and how Israel came to be and the events that have happened to the Palestinian people.
The discussion also circled back around to a prior conversation about how those who do wrong will try to justify their actions with false facts or distorted history to appease their conscious.
Our discussion brought rise to an Ewe proverb that roughly translates to “For you to weave a new tapestry/thread, you must look at the old.”
The discussion also circled back around to decolonizing the mind and one member noted: I was thinking more about decolonizing the mind and I want to say I think also part of it is not being distracted so much by the harm caused that we take our focus away from doing our part to build something new.
The importance of educating yourself to get the full facts.
It also rounded back to Chinua Achebe things fall apart. How it is important to not just listen to someone’s words. Specifically Achebe’s famous quote: “He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.” Chinua Achebe (2009).
One thing that came up was how to share honest history and having rich discussions with those who do not read. So they can also enlighten themselves. Some of the responses mentioned said to focus on enlightening your own life and the opportunities will come where you will be able to share what you have learned or share resources.
Even if you think your contribution would be insignificant, just do what you can do. Share information. Have discussions. Don’t think you cant be part of making the world a better place.
Don’t take any injustice as a small thing. Like oh just forget it because it can grow if you do not address it.
Final Summary:
This Book was a great read for our bookclub.
We had really rich conversations around identity and being the change we want to see in the world, specifically what are some things in our control that we can take action on in our own households and communities.
It just so happened the current events that arose during our sessions this month were spot on and aligned with many of the topics raised in the book.
We encourage you to review the videos we shared each week and share any comments.