We Were Eight Years In Power Quote
"We Were Eight Years in Power" is a book written by Ta-Nehisi Coates, an American author, journalist, and comic book writer. The book is a collection of essays that Coates wrote during the eight years of Barack Obama's presidency. The title of the book is taken from a quote by Thomas Miller, a South Carolina politician who said, "We have done our level best. We have scratched our heads to find out how we could apply the principle of 'separate but equal' to the public schools... of course, we all know that when any measure comes up involving the Negro, that you are going to have a fight on your hands. We were eight years in power. We had built schoolhouses, established charitable institutions, built and maintained the penitentiary system, provided for the education of the deaf and dumb, rebuilt the ferries. In short, we had reconstructed the State and placed it upon the road to prosperity." The quote implies that the Reconstruction era was a time of Black political power, which was subsequently lost due to white backlash.
The Meaning of "We Were Eight Years in Power"
The meaning of "We Were Eight Years in Power" is that Black political power is fragile and vulnerable to white backlash. Coates uses the quote as an analogy for Barack Obama's presidency, which was the first time a Black man was elected president of the United States. Obama's presidency was historic, but it was also marked by opposition from white supremacists and a Republican Party that was unwilling to work with him. The book argues that Obama's presidency was a missed opportunity to address the systemic racism that continues to plague the United States.
The Importance of the Quote Today
The quote "We Were Eight Years in Power" is still relevant today because it highlights the fragility of Black political power. The election of Barack Obama was a historic moment for Black Americans, but it was also a moment of hope for all Americans who believed in racial equality. However, the backlash that followed his presidency, including the rise of the alt-right and the election of Donald Trump, shows that progress towards racial equality is not guaranteed. The quote is a reminder that Black political power is fragile and must be protected.
The Legacy of Ta-Nehisi Coates
Ta-Nehisi Coates is one of the most influential writers on race in America today. His writing has been instrumental in shaping the national conversation on race and racism. Coates has won numerous awards for his writing, including the MacArthur "Genius" Grant, the National Book Award, and the Pulitzer Prize for his book "Between the World and Me." His writing is known for its unflinching honesty and its ability to challenge readers to confront the reality of systemic racism in America. Coates has become a voice for a new generation of Black writers who are using their work to confront racism and promote racial equality.
Conclusion
The quote "We Were Eight Years in Power" is a reminder that Black political power is fragile and vulnerable to white backlash. The election of Barack Obama was a historic moment for Black Americans, but it was also a moment of hope for all Americans who believed in racial equality. The backlash that followed his presidency shows that progress towards racial equality is not guaranteed. The legacy of Ta-Nehisi Coates is that he has become a voice for a new generation of Black writers who are using their work to confront racism and promote racial equality. Coates' writing is known for its unflinching honesty and its ability to challenge readers to confront the reality of systemic racism in America.
