AOC and TNC (Ta-Nehisi Coates) on MLK Day | ResetEra

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ta-Nehisi Coates sat down for a chat today, on MLK Day, specifically because he and the organizers wanted someone who they felt embodied Dr. King's radical vision of the integration of racial and economic justice. It's about 50 minutes long, but please watch it - it's a fantastic talk.

Some highlights:

-AOC discusses her upbringing and how she was able to see the economic disparity that occurs simply because of location, plus some elements of liberal racism she had to deal with

-They talk about how the New Deal and redlining contributed to the gap in white and black wealth and how reparations are needed to overcome it

-They discuss resistance to Amazon

-AOC explicitly says that a society is not moral if it allows billionaires, not because of billionaires themselves necessarily being "bad people" but because of what it means for how society allows its wealth to be handled

-AOC goes into her understanding of democratic socialism, how portraying socialism as "big government" is a McCarthyist scare tactic, and how socialism is actually about establishing democracy within the economy such as through worker co-operatives

Remember how pessimistic TNC was when he went on Colbert? None of that here. He's basically fawning the whole time. It's pretty amazing overall.

AOC is clearly a one of a kind politician. Excited to see her career and the different AOCs that crop up in deep blue districts across America.

I wish TNC had a bigger platform to speak about this stuff over folks like Sharpton.

Note: I'd recommend writing Ta-Nehisi Coates name out in the title, since his acronym isn't as iconic yet.

Note: I'd recommend writing Ta-Nehisi Coates name out in the title, since his acronym isn't as iconic yet.

It would break the flow!

Note: I'd recommend writing Ta-Nehisi Coates name out in the title, since his acronym isn't as iconic yet.

I was like "wait AOC is playing Wolfenstein 2 for MLK day? Damn that's bold"

Coates has sounded pessimistic for some time.

For him not to be...gives me hope.

AOC was just on a Twitch live stream and now this. I'm just completely blown away by her. She is the future of politicians...except she's our present. We stan a Puerto Rican queen!

I really hope she has a fruitful career

The system just doesnt seem to allow politicians like this to thrive without watering down but man it would be amazing to see a successful AOC presidential run in a few terms from now

i’m a fan of TNCs prose, but if anyone can inject some class consciousness into his politics it’s madame president ocasio cortez

AOC was amazing here. Never heard her speak for an extended period of time before and she won me over.

Her discussion about billionaires/distribution of wealth was impressive

The Matt Taibbi article about her is good as well. She is so smart and has a really good world view, but also she care about the issues that real people care about and not the donor class or the Washington establishment class.

AOC is what many Trump voters wanted to vote for and thought they were voting for: someone who would fight for the common person and shake things up in DC

Slayven

You probably post about me on another board.

coates not being a cynic is a tad shocking

I think coates is a realist. America is designed to let marginalized people down.

The Matt Taibbi article about her is good as well. She is so smart and has a really good world view, but also she care about the issues that real people care about and not the donor class or the Washington establishment class.

AOC is what many Trump voters wanted to vote for and thought they were voting for: someone who would fight for the common person and shake things up in DC

Yup

And too dumb to not realize he's the actual opposite

I think coates is a realist. America is designed to let marginalized people down.

Yeah that's pretty much Coates. He's always liJESUS CHRIST WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOUR AVATAR!?!?!!?

Haha listen to TNC while AOC is talking about how reparations should not just be for slavery but also for the injustices in the New Deal, red lining, etc. He's moaning along to her talking.

The Matt Taibbi article about her is good as well. She is so smart and has a really good world view, but also she care about the issues that real people care about and not the donor class or the Washington establishment class.

AOC is what many Trump voters wanted to vote for and thought they were voting for: someone who would fight for the common person and shake things up in DC

She tells it like it is.

The line about socialism is really on point, especially considering how entwined economic and political structures really are.

I think coates is a realist. America is designed to let marginalized people down.

He's got the spark of hope when he's talking to her.

Slayven

You probably post about me on another board.

Yeah that's pretty much Coates. He's always liJESUS CHRIST WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOUR AVATAR!?!?!!?

The bell can't be unrung

I've never seen Coates look so optimistic. It's genuinely weird to see.

Tiny detail that isn't really important, but I love that she still has the price sticker on the bottom of her shoes.

AOC is what many Trump voters wanted to vote for and thought they were voting for: someone who would fight for the common white person and shake things up in DC(ie. own the libs)

FYP.

I think she's what people thought Obama would be. Instead he sided with Wall Street and was reaching across the aisle instead of clapbacks against people who have no intention of working with you or even debating you honestly.

Optimistic TNC and AOC together? Peanut butter and jelly. Can't wait to watch this.

Sounds like a great talk. Hopefully my SO and I can sit down and listen to it together.

The part touching on the "need to breathe fire" is fantastic (context starting around 39 minute mark).

Slayven

You probably post about me on another board.

I am still shocked people were surprised and even mad at his colbert interview. If you just read a little of his work you would know how he would react to the post 2016. And he isn't wrong.

I am still shocked people were surprised and even mad at his colbert interview. If you just read a little of his work you would know how he would react to the post 2016. And he isn't wrong.

I remember Colbert being visibly upset by his answer to "What gives you hope?"

I think coates is a realist. America is designed to let marginalized people down.

Not to mention he doesn't like being put on a pedestal as a person who can magically explain the realities of racism to all white people. Which is sort of what happened on Colbert with him being asked to say something to make the audience hopeful about the future of America.

I loved his response. He isn't a priest.

Also for those interested he did an episode of the Intercepted podcast last year with Jeremy Scahill and he didn't sound dour or lacking in "hope" there either. They cover a variety of topics including his work with Marvel Comics.

I am still shocked people were surprised and even mad at his colbert interview. If you just read a little of his work you would know how he would react to the post 2016. And he isn't wrong.

LOL. Coates won't sugarcoat things, which goes against endless optimism.

The part touching on the "need to breathe fire" is fantastic (context starting around 39 minute mark).

AOC; Mother of Dragons

Slayven

You probably post about me on another board.

Not to mention he doesn't like being put on a pedestal as a person who can magically explain the realities of racism to all white people. Which is sort of what happened on Colbert with him being asked to say something to make the audience hopeful about the future of America.

I loved his response. He isn't a priest.

Also for those interested he did an episode of the Intercepted podcast last year with Jeremy Scahill and he didn't sound dour or lacking in "hope" there either. They cover a variety of topics including his work with Marvel Comics.

Yeah there is segmant of allies" that just looks for reassurance

Ocasio-Cortez could have a serious chance of being our first female President.

Just like I said in the other thread about her, she's effectively the leader of the Democratic Party and she is certainly its future. If we are to survive fascism, climate change, and injustice, the party needs to be moving in her direction

This was a good interview. Not much new to learn if you've been following her for a while, but still worth the watch. She's grounded and reasonable and honest.

Coates has sounded pessimistic for some time.

For him not to be...gives me hope.

Seriously, I gotta see this.

AOC has been listening to Richard Wolff and that's awesome.

Nice! Economic Update is good stuff.

I think coates is a realist. America is designed to let marginalized people down.

I don’t disagree, but it’s pleasant to see

AOC has been listening to Richard Wolff and that's awesome.

Yeah it seems rather obvious. Which is funny because I don't think she knew who he was until someone recommended him to her on Reddit during her campaign.

Yeah it seems rather obvious. Which is funny because I don't think she knew who he was until someone recommended him to her on Reddit during her campaign.

I wonder if workplace democracy is going to be part of the bill she's working on.

And I finished it and that she's talking about the means of production (without actually saying it) is wonderful. The Black Socialists of America were right.

I am still shocked people were surprised and even mad at his colbert interview. If you just read a little of his work you would know how he would react to the post 2016. And he isn't wrong.

Yeah, considering Colbert's response to him was nothing more than "Aww, c'mon, really?" Yes really, he's not there to make you feel better about this.