Section 1
- Most parents want to believe in the best for their child and want them to grow up believing that anything is possible and that all dreams are attainable. So why did Ta- Nehisi allow his son--and essentially taught him--to not believe in hope or a better future for himself, a future in which his body was his own and he was worth protecting? - Erika
- Does the surroundings of Coates's childhood, shape the way he thinks and his beliefs? -Huy
- When Morrison is writing to his son about disciplinary actions taken through each generation and how it effects their future, he brings up a certain moment when a boy brings out a gun in front of him. Morrison elaborates deeply on the ski jacket the boy is wearing, why was the ski jacket so important to the rest of the story? - Rachel
- how did his views of the world change based off the violence he recieved from his father -Faaiq
Section 2
- How did the diversity of The Mecca influence the atmosphere of the university campus and the people? Was is as influential to the other students as it was to Coates? - Erika
- According to Coates, how can people be civilized? -Huy
- Apparently, attending the university opened Coates' eyes to the history and importance of hiss culture, do you think before he attended the university that he had the white picket fence mindset that he describes in the book? -Rachel
- do "black bodies" really exist? -Faaiq
Section 3
- Even after admitting that his son had broadened his perspective and his view of the world and its possibilities, why did Coates revert to his original agenda of trying to teach his son that the world is unforgiving and unchanging? -Erika
- According to Coates, how can change be achieved? -Faaiq
- When Coates talks about slavery, why does he most talk about the women only? -Huy
- If Coates has such a strong opinion on how the world treats his culture, is it smart for him to write a letter to his son hoping to give him life advise when most of the letter is full of hatred and anger itself? -Rachel
Section 4
- On page 78, Coates states that "Prince was not killed by a single officer so much as he was murdered by his country and all the fears that have marked it from birth." How did Prince's death affect Coates's belief that some can escape the racism and hold that the people who believe themselves to be white have on their bodies? -Erika
- On Page 81, Coates states he is "tracked through many jurisdictions by a man in a criminals costume". What does the metaphor of a costume show about Coates belief in stereotyping? -Faaiq
- Coates uses the love he has for his people and his family and the love everyone has for him to propel him through life, even the most difficult times, however Coates seems to send a very mixed signal to his son about love. How is Coates's son meant to love and be loved in the same way if he's been barraged by his father about the hate and deceit of the wicked world? - Erika
- On page 76, Coates states "these officers had my body, could do with that body whatever they pleased." How do you think Coates feel about law enforcement in this country? -Huy
Section 5
- On page 96, Coates tells his son "the price of error is higher for you than it is for your countrymen." Do you think Law enforcement looks down upon people of color? -Huy
- On page 103, Coates states that, "In America, it is traditional to destroy the black body--it is heritage." Do you think he is referring to the physical destruction or the mental destruction bestowed upon them by society?- Rachel
- There is a paragraph on page 91-92 that describes a time when Coates took his son to the park and how well he fit in and just played with the other kids. At one moment Coates starts to feel the need to jump in and tell his son to "act cool" but he stops himself, why do you think he does this? Do you think he would do the same now that his son is older and people could be more judgmental of him? -Rachel
- Why did the author say he couldn't master school? the streets? -Faaiq
Section 6
- How does Coates expect his son to love and grow and be a part of the world as Coates wants him to be when all he does is barrage him with how cruel and judgmental it is? - Erika
- Coates talks about his life growing up in the ghetto portion of Baltimore, he brings up shootings and how the police treated them. What are some of the differences between today’s police conduct vs police conduct from the 1950’s or so? - Rachel
- Does Coates' tone change after he talks to Prince's mom and learn about her life story? -Huy
- What is the significance of Coates repeatedly mentioning his eyes? -Faaiq