Tag Archives: James Baldwin

to keep my own heart free of hatred and despair

It began to seem that one would have to hold in the mind forever two ideas which seemed to be in opposition. The first idea was acceptance, the acceptance, totally without rancor, of life as it is, and men as … Continue reading

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there is nothing stable under heaven

James Baldwin : “The states of birth, suffering, love and death, are extreme states: extreme, universal, and inescapable. We all know this, but we would rather not know it. The artist is present to correct the delusions to which we … Continue reading

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Six for Sunday

After reading Moby-Dick for the first time last year, Peter Gorman published a fascinating book called Kaleidoscope Brain that consists of 100 visualizations of Moby-Dick. The graphics, diagrams, and maps were his way of making sense of the iconic American … Continue reading

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…but then you read

Inspired by James Baldwin’s powerful 1963 book The Fire Next Time, musician and poet Meshell Ndegeocello created this intriguing short film based on Baldwin’s writing.

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Notes on a native son

The unfolding events of recent weeks in the United States have fostered a long overdue interest in the writings of many Black American authors. Few African American writers have had the deep and lasting impact on our culture that James … Continue reading

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but then you read

 

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When Great Trees Fall

Maya Angelou wrote the poem “When Great Trees Fall” when James Baldwin died in December of 1987, and read the poem at his funeral… “When Great Trees Fall” by Maya Angelou When great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder, … Continue reading

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Black Books Matter

In honor of Black History Month, the National Book Foundation has published a timeline of National Book Award honorees.

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