In an age of mendacity and criminality, which is our own, just telling the truth and having integrity is revolutionary. It’s subversive. It’s counter-cultural. James Baldwin . . . [brings] the rich tradition of eloquence, of truth-telling, witness-bearing, soul-stirring writing. . . . [Baldwin] is someone who refused to allow his fire to be dampened by overwhelming bleakness and darkness. And that’s a beautiful thing.
– Dr. Cornel West
This past Tuesday, August 2, was the 98th anniversary of the late American writer and activist James Baldwin.
To (belatedly) mark the occasion I share the following 2017 video of Dr. Cornel West discussing Baldwin’s legacy.
Related Off-site Links:
5 Things You Didn’t Know About James Baldwin – Tracy Shapley Towley (Book Riot, August 2, 2022).
James Baldwin’s Blueprint for the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement – Tre’vell Anderson (Out, May 19, 2019).
James Baldwin on Being Gay in America – The Village Voice (June 22, 2018).
James Baldwin’s Black Queer Legacy – Anthony James Williams (Electric Lit, March 23, 2017).
James Baldwin’s Sexuality: Complex and Influential – Mashaun D. Simon (NBC News, February 7, 2017).
James Baldwin, a Guide in Bleak Times – JoAnn Wypijewski (The Nation, January 21, 2015).
American Lives: James Baldwin, “Lifting The Veil” – NPR (July 15, 2011).
See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
• James Baldwin’s Potent Interweavings of Race, Homoeroticism, and the Spiritual
• Something to Think About – December 29, 2015
• Radical Returnings
• Cornel West on Responding to the “Spiritual Decay That Cuts Across the Board”
• “Two of the Most Dedicated and Enlightened Heroes of Present Day America”
• Cornel West: Quote of the Day – December 3, 2020
2 comments:
Wow! That's footage that brought on a new deeper found respect for James Baldwin. Dr. Cornell's comment on living in a world of criminality proves even Baldwin's Ideals still are prevalent in todays time. Much needed. Thanks for blogging!
Glad it resonated with you, Kenrick!
Peace,
Michael
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