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andreiaoh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Did Mr Baldwin travel forwards in time, rummage around in my silly little brain and pluck all my emotions, thoughts, (self)reflections and ramblings out to scribble it all down? It sure feels that way.
For one, his prose is wonderful, engaging yet also somewhat poetic. There are few writers that truly make me stop and think deeply about myself, allowing me to do a deep introspection on my thoughts, my life, and my beliefs.
My soul was singing as I read so much of this, but particularly this passage: "It demands great spiritual resilience not to hate the hater whose foot is on your neck, and an even greater miracle of perception and charity not to teach your child to hate."
For such a short body of work, I felt so much whilst reading these two essays. I commiserated, I laughed, I felt pride, anger, frustration, and understanding. As a black woman who considers myself well read on the topic of (American) anti-blackness and racism, as well as my own lived experiences, I did not go into this ignorant, yet I feel as if I came out with new perspectives and knowledge. As an example, the connection between the de-colonisation of Africa in the mid-twentieth century and the repeal of Segregation Acts in the USA (and other racial laws) was something I was obviously aware of yet the relationship between them didn't really click before. Baldwin posits that this decision made by the American government was not out of a sudden need to repent for actions against African-Americans, or for "progresses" sake; rather, it was a decision undertaken as a desperate act to ensure that White America's power remained on top, globally. In a world where majority "Black" nations were becoming (arguably) "independent", blatant acts of systemic oppression on their own black population via laws and other institutions would only prove to destabilise the nation in the long run. It was not an act of kindness, rather political necessity.
This was a fantastic introduction to James Baldwin's works and I can't wait to read so much more of it. An incredibly powerful and insightful read.
For one, his prose is wonderful, engaging yet also somewhat poetic. There are few writers that truly make me stop and think deeply about myself, allowing me to do a deep introspection on my thoughts, my life, and my beliefs.
My soul was singing as I read so much of this, but particularly this passage: "It demands great spiritual resilience not to hate the hater whose foot is on your neck, and an even greater miracle of perception and charity not to teach your child to hate."
For such a short body of work, I felt so much whilst reading these two essays. I commiserated, I laughed, I felt pride, anger, frustration, and understanding. As a black woman who considers myself well read on the topic of (American) anti-blackness and racism, as well as my own lived experiences, I did not go into this ignorant, yet I feel as if I came out with new perspectives and knowledge. As an example, the connection between the de-colonisation of Africa in the mid-twentieth century and the repeal of Segregation Acts in the USA (and other racial laws) was something I was obviously aware of yet the relationship between them didn't really click before. Baldwin posits that this decision made by the American government was not out of a sudden need to repent for actions against African-Americans, or for "progresses" sake; rather, it was a decision undertaken as a desperate act to ensure that White America's power remained on top, globally. In a world where majority "Black" nations were becoming (arguably) "independent", blatant acts of systemic oppression on their own black population via laws and other institutions would only prove to destabilise the nation in the long run. It was not an act of kindness, rather political necessity.
This was a fantastic introduction to James Baldwin's works and I can't wait to read so much more of it. An incredibly powerful and insightful read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
Minor: Slavery, Xenophobia, Rape, and Police brutality
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