Politics & Government

Ta-Nehisi Coates Leaves Twitter After Criticism From Cornel West

West, author of "Race Matters," recently criticized Coates' views on race, calling them simplistic and defeatist.

NEW YORK, NY — After a heated exchange with Cornel West, influential author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates deleted his Twitter account, writing "peace, y'all. I'm out."

West, author of "Race Matters," recently criticized Coates' views on race, calling them simplistic and defeatist. He said Coates wasn't critical enough of former President Barack Obama and said Coates was preoccupied with white acceptance.

Coates rebutted the accusations and was backed by others, notably his friend and fellow writer Jelani Cobb.

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But early Tuesday, Coates tweeted, "I didn't get in it for this."

Coates won the National Book Award last year for "Between the World and Me," an anguished meditation on police violence against blacks. This fall, he released "We Were Eight Years in Power," which collects his writings about Obama.

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