Coates

Coates

Pinckney's essay

In The New York Review

On Ta-Nehisi Coates' Between the World and Me

Does not say

Whether Pinckney likes what Coates is doing

And I would like to know.

 

He makes it clear

What Coates is doing -

The tradition from which he is drawing, his antecedents

The essay is insightful, informative, thoughtfully written,

But lacking criticism or praise.

 

I've read Between the World and Me

Twice.

I have my opinion, although it's been challenged

By the opinions of others.

Other people's opinions matter to me.

Even though, as Chimes said, "Opinions are cruelty."

 

I've read Pinkney's essay

Once.

I will read it again right now.

 

Ok. I read it again, and I still don't know:

Pinckney, what do you think of Coates?

 

Maybe I don't need to know.

Maybe it shouldn't matter.

And maybe I ought to appreciate and emulate

Your reticence.

A lack of opinion can be cruel too.

But maybe less so?

1/21/2016