Essay Prompt
What do Ta-Nehisi Coates and Claudia Rankine communicate about inhabiting a “black body” in America today? Selectively examine Coates’ experiences as a Black young man–his understanding of those experiences, and the metaphors he uses to describe contemporary American society and race relations. Do the same with Rankine. Selectively draw examples from Claudia Rankine’s poem Citizen that illustrate the challenges of moving in a white-dominated world in a Black body. For both writings, refer to passages you found most eye-opening to ground your discussion.
Grading Options: Each essay is worth 10 points. Essay must be at least 3 to 3.5 pages. The essay can be longer only if it results in a stronger essay (a well-articulated and supported analysis and argument). It is important to be concise in your writing and to revise several times before submitting.