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rvbina's review against another edition
5.0
I watched the documentary and then read the book, in accordance with most people’s recommendations. Very good read. Baldwin articulates into words what so many people of all ethnicities would struggle to express when discussing their own experiences with prejudice. He silences opponents of his views through his veracity, his thorough, undeniable explanations and his succinct arguments. I would have loved to have read his completed work.
bobbo49's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
I read the book, then watched the documentary; both should be required in our educational system. Baldwin's reflections on the continuing issues of racism throughout American society (as presented through his own words, and those of Malcolm, Martin and Medgar), and their impact on persons of every race and social standing, are as relevant and insightful today as when Baldwin began this work forty years ago. Highly recommended film as well.
bookwormy614's review against another edition
5.0
I added this to my "to read" list some months ago and with what happened over the weekend in Charlottesville, it seemed fitting to read now. This book is short and mainly blurbs of quotes and thoughts from James Baldwin's unfinished work on a book about Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr. which have been made to accompany a documentary of the same title. Here are my favorite excerpts ...
"I'm sure they have nothing whatever against Negroes, but that's really not the question, you know. The question is really a kind of apathy and ignorance, which is the price we pay for segregation. That's what segregation means. You don't know what's happening on the other side of the wall, because you don't want to know."
" ... a young, white revolutionary remains, in general, far more romantic than a black one. White people have managed to get through entire life times in this euphoric state, but black people have not been so lucky: A black man who sees the world the way John Wayne, for example, sees it would not be an eccentric patriot, but a raving maniac."
"Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced."
It's important to get different views of the same story in history. This is just one side but an important one.
"I'm sure they have nothing whatever against Negroes, but that's really not the question, you know. The question is really a kind of apathy and ignorance, which is the price we pay for segregation. That's what segregation means. You don't know what's happening on the other side of the wall, because you don't want to know."
" ... a young, white revolutionary remains, in general, far more romantic than a black one. White people have managed to get through entire life times in this euphoric state, but black people have not been so lucky: A black man who sees the world the way John Wayne, for example, sees it would not be an eccentric patriot, but a raving maniac."
"Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced."
It's important to get different views of the same story in history. This is just one side but an important one.
icalyn_13's review against another edition
3.0
This book is beautiful prose. The paper and the layout is beautiful to hold and read. I'm giving it three stars entirely because I honestly didn't believe I was going to be reading a movie transcript, which is what this was. Some of the transitions are confusing without video to go with it. Still - James Baldwin's words are piercing and shockingly timely 30+ years after they were said or written. I will be reading more of his writing, thanks to this book. And will be seeing the movie.
ngamulka's review against another edition
5.0
I will forever cherish Baldwin’s mind, his work, the urgency, as a witness but also the bearer, to tell the real story.
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What white people have to do is try and find out in their own hearts why it was necessary to have a "nigger" in the first place, because I'm not a nigger, I'm a man. But if you
think I'm a nigger, it means you need him.
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What white people have to do is try and find out in their own hearts why it was necessary to have a "nigger" in the first place, because I'm not a nigger, I'm a man. But if you
think I'm a nigger, it means you need him.
raqueluis's review against another edition
5.0
Weirdly enough, I only got to understand that I bought a script after starting the book. It has a powerful message and it does make me want to watch the documentary that was made. There’s a lot to learn still and I’m here for it.