I’ve tried to start Baldwin a couple times and haven’t been hooked. Can you make a recommendation on what might be a good place to start if I’d like to make a third go of it.
It depends on what era you want to dip into. "Notes from a Native Son" is a kind of analysis of being black in America (and the world) from a very personal perspective. The middle section is the most pertinent to this country. The essays are somewhat literary, erudite, written for intelligentsia audiences. I remember looking a lot of stuff up the first time I read them. "The Fire Next Time" has his most famous and pointed writing on race and Civil Rights and is probably the most read of his non-fiction works. For his fiction, "Giovanni's Room" is one of my all-time favorite novels, just heartbreaking stuff.
I read a number of Baldwins books in the 60s. I remember supporting the civil rights movement and feeling hopeful that we could get beyond skin color defining who we were. The last few years have been very depressing. There have been glimmers of hope such as when all of my very white grandchildren participated in BLM marches across the country. But the actions of state legislatures, school boards and other politicians worry me. Yes let's teach our children to think. I hear people say the most racist things and they don't even think about what they are saying. Thanks for writing this. I can use a word of hope. I'm going to reread Baldwin now.
Awesome stuff, John. I've forwarded to my African-American son-in-law who is a middle school educator.
Also, I am a total Studs Terkel fan boy -- I think I have read almost all of his books (including ones on jazz). What a marvelous interviewer he was. Quintessential Chicagoan.
Every time I read something of Baldwin's I'm amazed at how insightful he was, and also a little saddened by how much of his social critique still applies today.
John, thanks for this. Always, not just this one.
I’ve tried to start Baldwin a couple times and haven’t been hooked. Can you make a recommendation on what might be a good place to start if I’d like to make a third go of it.
I suspect this maybe a silly question.
-Matt
It depends on what era you want to dip into. "Notes from a Native Son" is a kind of analysis of being black in America (and the world) from a very personal perspective. The middle section is the most pertinent to this country. The essays are somewhat literary, erudite, written for intelligentsia audiences. I remember looking a lot of stuff up the first time I read them. "The Fire Next Time" has his most famous and pointed writing on race and Civil Rights and is probably the most read of his non-fiction works. For his fiction, "Giovanni's Room" is one of my all-time favorite novels, just heartbreaking stuff.
I read Giovanni’s Room for the first time this year. Just terrific.
I would add "We have to teach young people to feel"
I read a number of Baldwins books in the 60s. I remember supporting the civil rights movement and feeling hopeful that we could get beyond skin color defining who we were. The last few years have been very depressing. There have been glimmers of hope such as when all of my very white grandchildren participated in BLM marches across the country. But the actions of state legislatures, school boards and other politicians worry me. Yes let's teach our children to think. I hear people say the most racist things and they don't even think about what they are saying. Thanks for writing this. I can use a word of hope. I'm going to reread Baldwin now.
Thank you. This is excellent. I’m sharing with several people
Thanks, John. Great article, very enlightening. I am sharing with 2 people I love, both teachers.
Awesome stuff, John. I've forwarded to my African-American son-in-law who is a middle school educator.
Also, I am a total Studs Terkel fan boy -- I think I have read almost all of his books (including ones on jazz). What a marvelous interviewer he was. Quintessential Chicagoan.
Baldwin spoke so clearly about such complex issues. We can all learn a lot from the way he communicated.
This post should be a reminder to me that I should read a James Baldwin essay to counteract every article I read about right wing politics in America.
Every time I read something of Baldwin's I'm amazed at how insightful he was, and also a little saddened by how much of his social critique still applies today.