In the first four pages of the book, Coates introduces the following concepts, which are central tenets of discourse about America:
• Race
• The American Dream
• American exceptionalism
• Democracy
• Capitalism

I want you all to think about theses concepts and discuss what is meant by these concepts and the role that hegemony plays in they way we define and their importance in American society. Where do these concepts come from? Who is included and who is excluded in these definitions? Who benefits and who is harmed by these definitions? What has shaped your understanding of these concepts up to now?