Tag: james baldwin

Moments from the Black Past

By Erik Loomis

In General

On March 14, 2021

Fascinating discussion of a 1973 dinner between James Baldwin, Josephine Baker, and Henry Louis Gates. The latter was just starting out. He was commissioned to talk to these two legends of 20th century Black life for Time, which of course then spiked the story. This modest gathering in the south of France in 1973 proves […]

General

All Your Buried Corpses Now Begin to Speak

By Erik Loomis

On July 16, 2020

To build on the earlier post, perhaps no intellectual has more to say about the present moment than James Baldwin. Raoul Peck, who directed I Am Not Your Negro: Baldwin’s words are forceful and radi

General

Erik Visits an American Grave, Part 207

By Erik Loomis

On February 19, 2018

This is the grave of James Baldwin. Baldwin was born in 1924 and was raised by his mother and an awful stepfather. Avoiding his enormous, poor, and abusive family, Baldwin spent as much time in librar

Baldwin

By Erik Loomis

In General

On December 2, 2017

The influence of James Baldwin over American thought has grown significantly in recent years. Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of his death and this Brandon Tensley essay about him is worth your time. Thirty years after Baldwin’s death, though, America has found itself in a Baldwin renaissance. This resurfacing of Baldwin is ubiquitous, from journalist […]