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James Baldwin

James Arthur Baldwin was an American novelist, essayist, playwright, poet, and social critic. James Baldwin offered a vital literary voice during the era of civil rights activism in the 1950s and '60s.

The eldest of nine children, his stepfather was a minister. At age 14, Baldwin became a preacher at the small Fireside Pentecostal Church in Harlem. In the early 1940s, he transferred his faith from religion to literature. Critics, however, note the impassioned cadences of Black churches are still evident in his writing.

His first novel, Go Tell It on the Mountain (1953), is a partially autobiographical account of his youth. His essay collections Notes of a Native Son, Nobody Knows My Name, and The Fire Next Time were influential in informing a predominantly white audience.

From 1948, Baldwin made his home primarily in South France but often returned to the USA to lecture or teach. In 1957, he began spending half a year in New York City.

His novels include Giovanni's Room (1956), about a white American expatriate who needs to come to terms with his homosexuality, and Another Country, about racial and gay sexual tensions among New York intellectuals. His inclusion of gay themes resulted in savage criticism from the Black community.

Eldridge Cleaver, a member of the Black Panthers, stated that Baldwin's writing displayed an "agonizing, total hatred of blacks."

Baldwin's play, Blues for Mister Charlie, was produced in 1964. Going to Meet the Man and Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone provided powerful descriptions of American racism. As an openly gay man, he became increasingly outspoken in condemning discrimination against lesbian and gay people.

James Baldwin died from stomach cancer in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France. He was buried at the Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, near New York City.

In 2016, the documentary film I Am Not Your Negro directed by Raoul Peck, based on James Baldwin's unfinished manuscript Remember This House, was released.

The documentary examines the lives and legacies of three African American leaders who were all assassinated in the 1960s: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King. Baldwin's words are brought to life through archival footage, photographs, and interviews with scholars, activists, and other experts.
years of life: 2 August 1924 30 November 1987

Books

Audiobooks

Voice

Quotes

María Garduñohas quoted2 years ago
that he wanted to urinat
Martin petredamianhas quoted2 months ago
Then the discontented wanderer is thrown back on himself – if his life is to become bearable, only he can make it so.
noordaaboulndhas quoted2 years ago
the attention, the power she held for this moment

Impressions

David-Andrei Tunsshared an impression25 days ago
👍Worth reading

Really enjoyed it. The ending broke me, even though it was not unexpected.

  • James Baldwin
    Another Country
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    • 6.1K
    • 18
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  • Thomas Everett Vanderboomshared an impression9 months ago
    💡Learnt A Lot
    🎯Worthwhile
    💞Loved Up
    👍Worth reading

  • unavailable
    James Baldwin
    Giovanni's Room
    • 48
    • 516
    • 2
    • 2
  • Milana Baisultanovashared an impression2 years ago
    👍Worth reading

  • unavailable
    James Baldwin
    Giovanni's Room
    • 48
    • 516
    • 2
    • 2
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