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rfw 's review for:
The Fire Next Time
by James Baldwin
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Early into this book it occurred to me that the format and themes reminded me of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ “Between the World and Me,” which I read a few years ago. I didn’t realize (or remember?) that Coates’ book was inspired by this one.
I really appreciated Baldwin’s dissection and criticism of Christianity, especially white Christianity and the ways it was used to justify slavery. He himself was both a preacher’s kid, and a preacher for a few years, though he eventually left Christianity.
Also, it was interesting to hear about his meeting with Elijah Muhammad, as well as his criticisms of the teachings of the Nation of Islam.
He made no bones about calling out the immaturity of white liberals who point to things like de-segregation as a proof of equality, and the tokenism of so many gestures that were not inspired by goodwill, but rather used as political leverage.
Sadly and unsurprisingly, though this was published in 1962, so many of the issues Baldwin addresses as it pertains to past and current conditions for Black Americans are still present today.
There are some really searing insights in this book, and I’m glad I have a print copy because I intend to refer back to it.
I really appreciated Baldwin’s dissection and criticism of Christianity, especially white Christianity and the ways it was used to justify slavery. He himself was both a preacher’s kid, and a preacher for a few years, though he eventually left Christianity.
Also, it was interesting to hear about his meeting with Elijah Muhammad, as well as his criticisms of the teachings of the Nation of Islam.
He made no bones about calling out the immaturity of white liberals who point to things like de-segregation as a proof of equality, and the tokenism of so many gestures that were not inspired by goodwill, but rather used as political leverage.
Sadly and unsurprisingly, though this was published in 1962, so many of the issues Baldwin addresses as it pertains to past and current conditions for Black Americans are still present today.
There are some really searing insights in this book, and I’m glad I have a print copy because I intend to refer back to it.