It’s February, and as we celebrate Black History Month at Believe in Me, we must reflect on the trailblazing historians who have inspired our next generation of leaders. James Baldwin, Dorothy Vaughan, Audrey Lorde, Bayard Rustin, Bell Hooks, Martin Luther King, etc., are just a few examples of incredible historical figures who have made significant contributions to black history and our society.
As you may read in our series of blogs, these individuals represent diverse backgrounds and fields of expertise. Yet, they all share a common goal: to empower black people, promote equality and social justice, and encourage everyone to pursue their dreams. That’s what we’re all about at Believe in Me! We should be grateful for the work these individuals have done, and we must continue their legacy by supporting marginalized children of color in our community. This blog article will focus on James Baldwin’s positive impact on black history.
What Life Was Like Growing Up as James Baldwin
Born to a single mother on August 2, 1924, in Harlem, NY, James Baldwin was the oldest of nine kids. With no biological father around, Baldwin was his mother’s sidekick and mentored his siblings. Between the ages of 14 and 16, Baldwin became a preacher. This brief experience in the church impacted his rhetorical style and his writings’ themes, symbols, and biblical allusions.
Fast-forward to 1942, he graduated from high school, but a year later, he witnessed two significant events that changed his life forever:
- During this time, African Americans continued to suffer from racial discrimination. The black residents within Baldwin’s community in Harlem felt that the New York City police were harassing their community. On August 1, 1943, an African American soldier tried to intervene when a white police officer attempted to arrest an African American woman in Harlem for disturbing the public peace. Still, the police fired some bullets, and the soldier was shot and killed. News about the African American soldier’s death spread quickly, and a riot ensued.
- The second life-changing event for Baldwin was the death of his stepfather. Baldwin felt it was essential to play father figure to his eight brothers and sisters even though this decision took him away from college and made him focus on working day and night. Pursuing his dream to become a writer, he would write for hours at the Greenwich Village Cafe, where he played guitar at night.
Inspiring Social Change Spanning From France to the United States
In 1948, Baldwin moved to Paris. He left the US because he found it challenging to deal with the sexual and racial discrimination he faced daily. In addition, it allowed him to complete his first collection of essays, “Notes of a Native Son.”
James Baldwin never let racism or discrimination keep him down. He used his writing and activism to speak out against these injustices and inspire others to do the same. Additionally, he maintained a positive outlook and remained hopeful that things would change for black Americans.
Baldwin took long trips to the United States to spend time with his loved ones and participate in Civil Rights Movement events like the March on Washington and the Selma to Montgomery March. In 1960, the politically turbulent time hit home with the assassination of his three friends—Medgar Evers in 1963, Malcolm X in 1965, and Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968. As a result, Baldwin suffered an emotional breakdown, became ill, and eventually moved back to the South of France to recuperate.
Candid Conversations Spark a Movement to Empower African-Americans
Baldwin’s writings are recognizable for their frankness and honesty with complex topics like race, sexuality, and poverty. Instead of backing down from controversial conversations, he confronted them head-on to open up dialogue about these critical issues. People have praised his work for influencing their perspectives and inspiring social change. In 1965, he participated in the conference titled “The Negro Writer’s Vision of America.” During his presentation, Baldwin addressed the conference theme, saying:
“I know a story which America denies. And it denies it for the very good reason that my story, once told, confronts it with the truth about itself. In fact, my story, once told, will liberate America. The possibility of liberation—the necessity of becoming responsible for one’s own life—is what most people most profoundly fear.”
How You Can Learn More About Baldwin and His Voice Against Racism
Black History Month is a time for reflection and learning more about James Baldwin. You can find many resources online, such as Baldwin’s books or documentaries about his life. However, we have some recommendations that are considered a must-read by BiblioLifestyle:
- Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin: This collection of essays explores race relations in America and Baldwin’s own experiences as an African American man.
- Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin: This novel tells the story of a young man named John Grimes, struggling to find his place in the world.
- Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin: This novel is about a young man named Giovanni, who is living in Paris and struggling with his identity, masculinity, and sexuality
- The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin: Another collection of essays focused on the Civil Rights Movement. Baldwin offers a critical analysis of the movement and its successes and failures.
There are also Black history curricula available for purchase that youth can use to learn more about Black American culture and the fight for civil rights. We hope we’ve piqued your interest in James Baldwin’s life and work. To explore his story in greater detail, check out these terrific online resources: biography.com or his obituary published by The Guardian, written by his nephew, David Leeming.
Why We Should All Fight Against Racism
During Black History Month, we want to highlight the legacy of people of color who have changed the world with their activism, ideas, and words. To learn more about other individuals who have paved the way for today’s youth, we invite you to read our series of blogs:
- Bayard Rustin: Helping People Of Color And The Gay Community Through Social Justice
- Juneteenth: A New Era Of Hope For African American People
- Martin Luther King Jr: Nobel Prize Winner and Hero Of The Civil Rights Movement
Racism plays a role in our lives, and we must educate ourselves on how it impacts our future. At Believe in Me, we understand how children of color are affected by racism. The cumulative stress of disparities in income, education, health care, and mass incarceration resulting from centuries of systemic racism has devastating effects on the health and opportunities of these children. You can read about “Racism and Its Impact on Kids: Learn the Facts Now.”
We can learn a lot from James Baldwin. He has taught us how to confront adversity courageously and use our voices to make a difference in the world. He is a powerful role model for children and adults, and his impact continues as we celebrate Black History Month. At Believe in Me, we are proud to celebrate the life and work of James Baldwin and are grateful that he has inspired people of color for generations to come.
