In my dream world, 80% of all columns are written by Ta-Nehisi: http://t.co/fRHvlaHc
— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) August 21, 2012
The self-pleasuring way that a certain type of commentator approaches Ta-Nehisi Coates reinforces his argument on prejudice, but does so destructively, repelling anyone not already inside the circle of solidarity, all those wrongly or rightly hesitant or suspicious. This supportive undermining is achieved not principally by creating impossible expectations, but rather by encouraging familiar ones: see, e.g., President George HW Bush nominating the “best qualified” Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court. If in this way exaggerated praise ironically amplifies the original justification for what is transparently confirmed in being denied – some voluntaristic species of affirmative action – it does so against the writer’s or nominee’s or candidate’s best interests; against the primary interest in proving oneself, and knowing oneself proved; in literary work, even punditry, against a young writer’s need for critical engagement more than premature advancement; in politics against anyone’s greater interest in achievement than in adulation. As for the ones negatively affirming, their overdoing it, laying it on too thick, making a show, is an aggressively paternalistic form of not really listening, least of all to oneself.
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an obviously unserious expression of admiration such as this bit of Coates-holding doesn’t merit that response.
is there something about Hayes (with whom I’m barely familiar) or some other stuff from him about TNC or such that moved you to drip that stuff into his ear?