On Tuesday, celebrated writer Ta-Nehisi Coates published an article in The Atlantic in which he decried Bernie Sanders for being against "reparations for slavery." In 2014, Coates published a landmark cover story in The Atlantic, "The Case for Reparations."

In this week's piece Coates argued that:

Unfortunately, Sanders's radicalism has failed in the ancient fight against white supremacy. What he proposes in lieu of reparations—job creation, investment in cities, and free higher education—is well within the Overton window, and his platform on race echoes Democratic orthodoxy.

Today, rapper and political activist Killer Mike—who has endorsed Sanders in one-on-one interviews, and appearances on Colbert—fired back at Coates, defending Sanders' policy.

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I love the writings of @tanehisicoates. I am very curious why every one thinks his critique of Sanders of some kind of death nail. — Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016

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Our Current POTUS has NOT been asked about Reperations and he is black lol. — Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016

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If I as a working class African American Man read and hear Sanders platform. Better pay, end of drug war, fixing Youth unemployment & more — Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016

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Like continuing to free those folks whom mandatory minimums had essentially given life in jail. — Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016

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The truth of my support is this. I am pro Reparations for any people used and abused like Blacks have been here and other places. — Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016

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I am believer that land in the southern United States shud be allocated to blacks and the land shud come with a no sale clause. — Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016

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I believe the Govt of this country will NEVER do this but if I can have a POTUS who will be open to a federal loan program to help — Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016

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Young black families secure housing in many areas that are now being "gentrified". It helps stabilize those communities. Now who is the — Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016

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Candidate that I think wud be most sensitive to the very accomplishable goal and the other things that can/will help Black people is Sanders — Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016

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The fact that blacks have to even justify the case for reparations is shameful. The fact that only 1 candidate is being called to task is — Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016

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Bullshit. Especially when that candidate is the only one with policy proposal that directly effects the black community if elected. — Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016

We'll update this post if and when Coates responds.

[h/t: The New Republic

Matt Miller Culture Editor Matt is the Culture Editor at Esquire where he covers music, movies, books, and TV—with an emphasis on all things Star Wars, Marvel, and Game of Thrones.

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