The Unapologetic Life of James Baldwin: Why We Must Honor Our Advocates

Fellow Literary Enthusiasts,

When we think of the titans of American Literature, like Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, Stephen King, or Twain, James Baldwin seldom comes to mind for most nor is he regularly considered to be of such illustrious company, unfortunately.

Like that of many other black writers, his legacy as a literary artist is either given a blink-and-you'll-miss-it reference in both grade school and higher-ed curricula and via pop culture mediums, or it's just glossed over altogether.

I, like most of you, remember having to memorize whole chunks of white writers' literary works, from the likes of Romeo & Juliet, Poe's The Raven, and Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

If I asked most of you reading this to give me just one of James Baldwin's quotes, though, even ones outside of his literary work, I'm of the very strong suspicion very few could quote something like "Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love is a war; love is a growing up." Or, they most likely wouldn't say, "I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually."

James Baldwin, much like our other literary icons--Ida. B. Wells, Langston Hughes, and Maya Angelou--is a personal hero of mine and others who had the blessing of being exposed to his literature and his seemingly insurmountable works of activism.

Not only was he a brilliant essayist, poet, novelist, and playwriter, whose works span over 2 decades and gave a painfully unapologetic voice to the struggles of black society, but he also saw the potentially, positive, profound impact reading and writing literacy can have on a society and how powerful a weapon the pen can be when used for justice.

On August 3rd, 2024, the day after the legendary James Baldwin's 100th birthday (which should be a holiday in my opinion), I had both the pleasure and the privilege of attending the Centennial Celebration Celebration panel discussion at @DockBookshop here in Fort Worth, TX.

@DockBookshop (https://thedockbookshop.com/) is an illustrious, black-owned, grassroots organization whose mission is to empower the community through the influence of literature and literacy. And, that is a mission I hold near and dear to my own heart.

I could think of no better way to honor our brother's legacy than to chop it up with the family about his works, his ideology, and the generational impact he left behind.

From the topics of relationships to politics to religion to systemic racism, we had a robust discussion that encompassed his life experience and that I hope did our brother's legacy the justice it deserves.

I hope I've earned your subscription today.

One Love & One Justice,

The Stormy Poet

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