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The Mind of James Baldwin
Summary: James Baldwin was a black homosexual who wrote some of the most indifferent yet sensitive works on the crippling effects of racism and homophobia on victims and perpetrators alike. Baldwin saw value in social and sexual relationships between black and white, and was watched by the FBI for his growing black militancy. His books deserved the enthusiastic reception they received in the dark days of southern vigilantes and northern liberal faint-hearts in the racist United States.
James Baldwin was a black homosexual who wrote some of the most indifferent yet sensitive works on the crippling effects of racism and homophobia on victims and perpetrators alike. Baldwin saw value in social and sexual relationships between black and white, and was watched by the FBI for his growing black militancy.
Born in 1924 in New York's Harlem, Baldwin became a preacher at age 14 but soon left the church to take up writing as his life's work. He left for Paris in 1948 after one too many "we don't serve Negroes here" in one too many restaurants. In 1956, the growing civil rights struggle in the U.S. South drew him back. The bombing of integrationist schools, murdering of blacks and rampant discrimination appalled Baldwin.
He threw in his lot with Martin Luther King, although Baldwin became dissatisfied with King's non-violence and Christian middle class values. The black pride of...
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This section contains 470 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) |
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