Source: Sophie Bassouls / Getty
he greatness of
James Baldwin could never be understated and his relevance is arguably greater in 2020 than it ever has been as the country confronts issues he documented decades ago. It was through that documentation in the form of his literary gifts to the world along with speeches and interviews that Baldwin’s brilliance was immortalized with the sage wisdom that gave way to a number of quotes attributed to him that have withstood the test of time.
Sunday marks the 96th birthday for the late novelist, essayist and playwright, who stands out as one of America’s most-treasured wordsmiths, notable for his bold ruminations on race, sexuality, and other subjects considered too controversial for the time of his creative peak.
As a homosexual man, some of Baldwin’s work focused on not only the complexities of the role of Blacks in America but also that of gay men who faced atrocious criticism and prejudice during his climb into the literary ranks.
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Baldwin and his mother, Emma, moved to Harlem, leaving behind his father who struggled with drug abuse. She would marry preacher David Baldwin and the family lived under harsh conditions. Baldwin’s stepfather was said to be abusive to both him and his siblings, and when he died in 1943 while James was a teen, Harlem rioted on the day of his funeral – an event that shaped much of Baldwin’s writing style.
An avid reader, Baldwin worked as an editor for his high school’s magazine, continuing his studies at the New School University. Forever intellectually curious, Baldwin would challenge societal norms and even his own involvement in the Christian church. Baldwin would denounce much of what he learned during his time viewing his stepfather in the pulpit, although he never declared himself an atheist. Much of Baldwin’s criticism of the church stemmed from its use by slave owners to oppress Blacks. He would, however, say that religion also had the power to liberate the oppressed as well.
Baldwin left New York in 1948, becoming an expatriate and finding his voice in Paris. Baldwin found acceptance overseas as he struggled to come to terms with his sexuality. In Paris, he thrived and was published in several literary anthologies, joining fellow writer
Richard Wright as an essayist during his earlier stays in Europe.
Source: Sophie Bassouls / Getty
Baldwin’s most celebrated novel was his 1953 debut, “Go Tell It On the Mountain” (pictured right), a semi-autobiographical novel set in 1930s Harlem. The book takes a close look at the role of the church in the lives of Black Americans, once again examining the duality of the lens that Baldwin viewed Christianity. The novel has remained a favorite among readers and has achieved iconic status.
Baldwin’s second novel, “Giovanni’s Room,” sparked controversy and criticism for its homoerotic themes and the fact that Baldwin made White characters the centerpiece of the book. His 1955 collection of essays “Notes Of A Native Son” still resonate strongly to this day.
The Civil Rights Movement was another passion of Baldwin’s during the turbulent 1960s. Baldwin would align himself with the movement via lengthy essays done in his usual forward style. His essay “Down At The Cross” would be published in The New Yorker in two large issues in 1963, which eventually led to Baldwin gracing the cover of TIME magazine that same year while he toured the South, speaking on Civil Rights issues.
Baldwin’s long essay “No Name In The Street” touched on the killings of his friends
Malcolm X,
Megdar Evers, and
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Baldwin is also credited for bringing
Nina Simone into the movement along with poet
Langston Hughes and “Raisin In The Sun” author
Lorraine Hansberry.
Baldwin died at the age of 63 from stomach cancer in France. He is buried at the Ferncliff Cemetery in Westchester County, New York.
Baldwin’s legacy continues to live in a variety of ways: Author
Toni Morrison edited and curated a collection of Baldwin’s writings. Additionally, Baldwin’s work is a staple in many American Literature classes in high schools and colleges. The United States Postal Service honored Baldwin in 2005 with a first-class postage stamp, which also featured a short biography revealed after the peeling of the stamp.
Source: Sophie Bassouls / Getty
hit theaters in 2017, and attempts to complete the manuscript for “Remember This House,” an unfinished story about American race relations told through the lives and murders of civil rights leaders that Baldwin was working on at the time of his death.
Considering all of the above, it was obvious Baldwin had no shortage of commentary. Scroll down to find 10 of Baldwin’s most important quotes that will change your life.
