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Coate's and Foucault

The document analyzes the concepts of surveillance and vulnerability in Ta-Nehisi Coates' book "Between the World and Me" and Michel Foucault's theory of "panopticism." It uses Foucault's framework to examine how white society exercised power over black bodies through oppressive surveillance systems that instilled fear, as described in Coates' narratives of growing up black in America. Key themes of both works are the struggles of marginalized groups under systems of power that compromise freedom and inflict violence through enforced observation and control.

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44 views4 pages

Coate's and Foucault

The document analyzes the concepts of surveillance and vulnerability in Ta-Nehisi Coates' book "Between the World and Me" and Michel Foucault's theory of "panopticism." It uses Foucault's framework to examine how white society exercised power over black bodies through oppressive surveillance systems that instilled fear, as described in Coates' narratives of growing up black in America. Key themes of both works are the struggles of marginalized groups under systems of power that compromise freedom and inflict violence through enforced observation and control.

Uploaded by

eyramkbakah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Surveillance and vulnerability: An analysis of related

concepts in Coates' ''Between the world and me'' and Foucault's


''Panopticism''

THESIS STATEMENT
In ''Between the world and me'', Coates portrays the unfair and complex
system of power that engulfs the black body in America. Using Michel
Foucault's panopticism as a lens, I would like to acquire more
understanding in the evasive surveillance and control mechanisms in a
particular society. This is essay delves into the interrelated themes of
vulnerability and power, bridging ideas between Coates' narratives and
Foucault's template to uncover the struggles of neglected communities in
the face of oppressive systems.

Reading through both texts of Michel Foucault and Ta-Nehisi Coates, I


had single words coming into mind. I had raw, unexplained ideas
coming to mind. These words gave names to the relationship between
these two texts. The first word was 'body', even though this had been
spoken about by Coates, I began to think of 'body' not in the physical
sense. I perceived body to be a whole society. Foucault's 'panopticism'
talks about how a certain group into society is watched with utmost
precision, leaving them vulnerable and in fear of the unknown. In this
case, fear of the consequences to their actions when they're being
watched. To the extent to the essence of freedom is compromised.
Foucault says,''Two ways of exercising power over men. Of controlling
their relations. Of separating out their dangerous mixtures.'' Page
293.This sounds a lot like the order of things in Coates world. White
people perceiving black people as the infected bunch. They stifled them
and even though they were free, they were not truly free. This is visible
in Coates narration of his childhood experiences. He asks, ''How do I
live free in this black body?''Page 245.This appeals to our senses. Plainly
telling us that the black body was a prison. A prison made by the upper
classes. Their freedom was taken away from them just because of their
bodies. Here we see there's more to freedom than being able to walk
around. Freedom is also in the mind. In Foucault's panopticism. It says,
''visibility is a trap'' page 295. With their actions being watched closely,
even the most innocent of actions were considered crimes. Which had
unjust consequences. I would say this applies Foucault's idea of
panopticism, however, in one of the most unfair ways. This did not
instill a sense of discipline, as we know. Instead, it's put fear in them.
Coates expresses this fear and that of others when he said, ''And I am
afraid...I had seen this fear in all my young life. Though I had not always
recognized it as such'' Page 246.
The fear of being watched as depicted in Foucault's panopticism was
instilled so deep, it affected the bond and sense of love in families.
Coates narrated his mother's story to his son. And in that narration, that
fear was somehow mixed with love. He says, ''Have they told you the
story?....Ma never forgot''. Page 247. This is where she was beaten just
because she lets her boyfriend into the house. This goes to show how
scared they were every day, scared of losing their bodies. Scared of
dying. It was no surprise this fear was instilled into Coates by his
mother. The fear of losing someone was too much for them to bear. This
is clearly seen also when Coates said, ''I remember her clutching my
small hand tightly...She could beat me back to life'' Page 247. Again,
this fear in parenting is clearly seen in the lines, ''When I was six... Then
I can beat him or the police'' page 247. My point is even summarized by
Coates himself, ''All I know is the violence rose from fear, like smoke
from a fire, and I cannot say whether that violence was administered in
fear and love, sounded the alarm or choked us at the exit'' Page 247.
Foucault gives us an idea in theory. He provided a framework by which
we can explore how power operates as a form of surveillance and
discipline, or in this case, fear. Within a society. Applying this template
in the case of Coates. Between the world and me. We can clearly see
how surveillance asserts the power of the 'whites'. The power the the
'whites' had over the black body. The panopticon is central metaphor in
Foucault's writings, symbolizes a structure where individuals are
subjected to constant observation, fostering self-discipline, again in this
case, fear, and conformity. Coming back to Coates' text, the black body
was located in a system similar to the Panopticon. They are constantly
being watched and oppressed and even when they aren't being watched
their haunted by their fear of being watched. This was the power wielded
over them by whites.
CONCLUSION
The relationship between Ta-Nehisi Coates' "Between the World and
Me" and Michel Foucault's panopticism lies in their shared analyzation
of power dynamics, systemic oppression and vulnerability. Coates,
through personal narratives, examines the lived experiences of Black
individuals in America, uncovering complex system power that drove
racial inequalities while Foucault's panopticism provided a theoretical
framework, illustrating how surveillance and discipline operate within
societal structures.

REFERENCES
Michel Foucault ''Discipline and punish'' Ways of reading, an anthology
for writers. 12th edition David Bartholomae, Anthony
Petrosky,Stacey Waite, 2019, page 293
Michel Foucault 'Discipline and punish'' Ways of reading, an anthology
for writers. 12th edition David Bartholomae, Anthony
Petrosky,Stacey Waite, 2019, page 295
Ta-Nehisi Coates 'Between the world and me'' Ways of reading, an
anthology for writers. 12th edition David Bartholomae, Anthony
Petrosky,Stacey Waite, 2019, page 245

Ta-Nehisi Coates 'Between the world and me'' Ways of reading, an


anthology for writers. 12th edition David Bartholomae, Anthony
Petrosky,Stacey Waite, 2019, page 246

Ta-Nehisi Coates 'Between the world and me'' Ways of reading, an


anthology for writers. 12th edition David Bartholomae, Anthony
Petrosky,Stacey Waite, 2019, page 247

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