If you’re searching for your next read—or the perfect gift for the book lover in your life—look no further than Ta-Nehisi Coates’ latest offering, The Message. This is Coates’ first nonfiction book since Between the World and Me (2015), and he delivers once again with his signature depth and candor. Structured as a series of three essays, Coates takes readers on a journey through Senegal, South Carolina, Israel, and Palestine, examining the pervasive reach of White Supremacy Culture and its global implications.
Coates has a singular ability to weave personal narrative with universal truths, and The Message is no exception. Through vivid storytelling, he exposes the trauma wrought by systems of oppression and challenges readers to confront the lies we've been conditioned to believe.
For those of us engaged in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work, this book offers profound lessons applicable to creating more equitable workplaces. Here are two key takeaways:
Be Willing to Be Wrong
One of the greatest obstacles to progress in DEI is the unwillingness to be wrong—about our worldviews, beliefs, privilege, or even our treatment of women of color in professional spaces. Yet, growth requires humility and a willingness to embrace discomfort.
Coates exemplifies this in his essay about visiting Israel and Palestine. Initially, his understanding of the region was narrow and shaped by secondhand narratives. But instead of using the trip to validate his preconceptions, Coates approached it with an open mind and heart. Walking through occupied and segregated territories in Palestine, he was struck by a stark realization:
“The astonishment was for me—for my own ignorance, for my own incuriosity.”
This moment of awakening underscores a critical point: being wrong is not a weakness; it’s an opportunity for transformation. Yet, in corporate spaces—where confidence and certainty often dominate—admitting mistakes is rare, and changed minds are even rarer.
For organizations genuinely committed to advancing equitable practices, The Message reminds us that ignorance isn’t a permanent state. With openness and intention, we can unlearn harmful narratives and begin building inclusive systems.
Moral Injustice Is Easy to See—If You’re Willing to Look
Another roadblock to progress is the myth that systemic oppression is “too complex” to address. Coates dismantles this notion, particularly in his final essay, where he critiques the framing of Palestine’s occupation as an intricate political issue. The immorality of the situation, he argues, is glaringly obvious—if we choose to see it.
This same dynamic plays out in the U.S. workplace. Anti-Blackness and the mistreatment of women of color are often dismissed as “too hard” to tackle, despite their visibility in everyday corporate life. Coates draws parallels between his observations in Palestine, his visit to Dakar, Senegal, and a trip to Chapin, South Carolina, where Between the World and Me faced potential book bans. Across these landscapes, the imprints of White Supremacy Culture are unmistakable for those willing to confront them.
For DEI efforts to succeed, those in power must acknowledge these injustices and actively dismantle the systems that uphold them. This starts with admitting that moral wrongs exist in plain sight—no special expertise required. The real challenge lies in the courage to address them head-on.
At its core, The Message is a powerful reminder that the stories we are taught shape our realities. Challenging those narratives is the first step toward creating systems that uplift rather than oppress.
If your organization is ready to embark on this transformative journey, ShiftED Consulting is here to guide you. Together, we can unravel harmful narratives and build spaces where equity thrives. Schedule a consultation today—and let’s shift the narrative.
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