Coleman Hughes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Coleman Hughes
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Hughes in 2019
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Coleman Cruz Hughes
February 25, 1996 New Jersey, US
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| Education | Columbia University (BA) Juilliard School (dropped out) |
| Occupation | Writer, podcast host |
| Organization | Quillette 1776 Unites Manhattan Institute for Policy Research |
| Known for | Writing on issues related to race and racism |
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Notable work
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The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America (2024) |
| Awards | Presidential Scholar Forbes 30-under-30 |
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Coleman Cruz Hughes, born on February 25, 1996, is an American writer and a host of a popular podcast. He is known for sharing his ideas on important topics. He has worked with organizations like the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research and is the host of his podcast, Conversations with Coleman. He is also a visiting professor at the University of Austin.
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Early Life and Education
Coleman Hughes grew up in Montclair, New Jersey. His family background includes both African-American and Puerto Rican heritage. When he was 19, his mother passed away.
He went to Newark Academy high school. In 2014, he was chosen as a United States Presidential Scholar. This is a special award for talented students. After high school, he started studying jazz trombone at the Juilliard School. However, he later left Juilliard due to his mother's death. He then attended Columbia University and earned a degree in philosophy in 2020.
Career Highlights
Coleman Hughes is a well-known writer and speaker. He shares his thoughts on many important subjects.
Speaking About Important Issues
In 2019, Coleman Hughes spoke to a U.S. government committee. He talked about the idea of paying money to descendants of enslaved people. He argued that this might cause more division in the country. Instead, he suggested focusing on current problems affecting Black Americans. These problems include high rates of people in prison and high crime rates. He also suggested that if payments were made, they should go to Black Americans who lived under Jim Crow laws. These laws enforced segregation and discrimination.
Writing and Podcasts
Hughes writes for several publications, including Quillette, The Spectator, and The New York Times. He also contributes to The Wall Street Journal. In 2020, he became a fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. He also helps with their City Journal. He is part of the 1776 Unites project, which focuses on American history and values.
Coleman Hughes hosts his own podcast called Conversations with Coleman. On this podcast, he talks with different people about many interesting ideas. He is also a visiting professor at the University of Austin.
TED Talk and Discussions
In April 2023, Coleman Hughes gave a talk at the annual TED conference. This event brings together people to share "ideas worth spreading."
Understanding Racial Color Blindness
In his TED Talk, Hughes talked about the idea of racial color blindness. This means treating everyone as an individual, without focusing on their race. He believes this approach is important for how people interact and for public policies.
His talk caused some discussion within TED. Some people felt his message was not accurate. Hughes disagreed, saying that his ideas were supported by research. To make sure his message was heard, he agreed to have his talk released with a moderated discussion. In this discussion, another speaker agreed that treating people as individuals is good. However, that speaker felt that public policy should still consider race to address past problems.
Coleman Hughes's Views
Coleman Hughes has shared his thoughts on various topics.
Views on Race and Society
Hughes once believed that police officers were often racist when dealing with Black people. However, he now believes that racial bias in deadly shootings is not as clear when other factors are considered. He has looked at research from experts like Roland G. Fryer Jr. to support his view.
In his 2024 book, The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America, he explains his ideas further. He argues that colorblindness means choosing not to treat people differently because of their race. He believes this approach should be used in how we treat each other and in government policies.
Political and Personal Beliefs
Coleman Hughes has voted for Democrats in past elections, including for Joe Biden in the 2020 United States presidential election. He has said he dislikes both major political parties.
He has also stated that he does not have religious beliefs and does not believe in God.
Hughes supports Zionism, which is the movement for the self-determination and protection of the Jewish people in their historic homeland. He disagrees with comparing it to colonialism or apartheid. He has also discussed the situation in Gaza on The Joe Rogan Experience.
Music and Hobbies
Coleman Hughes has a strong interest in music. He started learning to play the violin when he was three years old.
He also enjoys rapping as a hobby. In 2021 and 2022, he released several rap songs online using the name COLDXMAN. He even made a music video for one of his songs called "Blasphemy." Besides rapping, Hughes plays jazz trombone. He performs regularly with a band that honors the music of Charles Mingus at the Jazz Standard in New York City.
