James Baldwin

Kimberly Easley
Feb 18, 2017
1 min read

Day #17 Black History / African Heritage Month: James Baldwin (RIP), writer, essayist, novelist, activist & playwright whose work explored the plight of black people navigating social pressures, Jim Crow-injustices & inequality. Baldwin, a gay black man, became disillusioned by racism & same-sex intolerance in late 1940s America & repatriated at age 24 to Paris. He returned to the United States in 1957 as the Civil Rights Movement was debated. After he met Dr. King, Baldwin published several magazine articles and essays that centered on race relations and the Civil Rights Movement, including his famous work The Fire Next Time. He was also close friends with Medgar Evers and Malcolm X. Baldwin despised labels, was outspoken & unapologetic in his belief that every human has the right to freedom, equality & bold individual expression. Baldwin's recently released documentary I am Not Your Negro is a must-see ...