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4.61 AVERAGE
4.61 AVERAGE
Can I give this 6 stars? Please?
Mr. Baldwin's writing has that rare mix of power and humility. He lets the reader into his life, the life of a black man in Harlem in the '60s. He has the skill to point out the warts on the nose of society without coming across as angry. For me, the tone is one of deep sadness. Yet at the same time you can just about feel the frustration seeping off the page. While I can't empathize with his plight, I can (and do) identify with his proposed solution: love.
I'll end with a few of my favorite quotes:
"White people in this country will have quite enough to do in learning how to accept and love themselves and each other, and when they have achieved this - which will not be tomorrow and may very well be never- the Negro problem will no longer exist, for it will no longer be needed." P.22
"People always seem to band together in accordance to a principle that has nothing to do with love, a principle that releases them from personal responsibility." P.81
"Do I really want to be integrated into a burning house?" P. 94
"Isn’t love more important than color?" P.71
Mr. Baldwin's writing has that rare mix of power and humility. He lets the reader into his life, the life of a black man in Harlem in the '60s. He has the skill to point out the warts on the nose of society without coming across as angry. For me, the tone is one of deep sadness. Yet at the same time you can just about feel the frustration seeping off the page. While I can't empathize with his plight, I can (and do) identify with his proposed solution: love.
I'll end with a few of my favorite quotes:
"White people in this country will have quite enough to do in learning how to accept and love themselves and each other, and when they have achieved this - which will not be tomorrow and may very well be never- the Negro problem will no longer exist, for it will no longer be needed." P.22
"People always seem to band together in accordance to a principle that has nothing to do with love, a principle that releases them from personal responsibility." P.81
"Do I really want to be integrated into a burning house?" P. 94
"Isn’t love more important than color?" P.71
Holy shit everyone needs to read this once a year at least
inspiring
fast-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Such a fascinating little book. His perspective is remarkably applicable to the modern American situation which is honestly disheartening.
When I read these civil rights leaders I always think “where are they now”. The voice given by modern technology seems to have eradicated the language of activism in any meaningful sense. What would it mean for James Baldwin or MLK to live today?
The only complaint I really have with Baldwin is how quickly he is to give up on christianity. I found it fascinating that he never once mentions MLK here. I certainly follow his frustration with the white church but he misses the highly effective black church movement led by people like King.
When I read these civil rights leaders I always think “where are they now”. The voice given by modern technology seems to have eradicated the language of activism in any meaningful sense. What would it mean for James Baldwin or MLK to live today?
The only complaint I really have with Baldwin is how quickly he is to give up on christianity. I found it fascinating that he never once mentions MLK here. I certainly follow his frustration with the white church but he misses the highly effective black church movement led by people like King.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
informative
reflective
fast-paced
challenging
sad
medium-paced