Role of James Baldwin in the Civil Rights Movement Essay

Following this in his book, Baldwin clarifies a few more of his ideas. He mentions how the separation of the races, predominantly the view of any one as being above another in any context, is a recipe for

“I began thinking about the fact that I stand in the middle of two opposing forces in the Negro community. One is a force of complacency, made up in part of Negroes who, as a result of long years of oppression, are so drained of self-respect and a sense of ‘somebodiness’ that they have adjusted to segregation; and in part of a few middle class Negroes who, because of a degree of academic and economic security and because in some ways they profit by segregation, have become insensitive to the problems of the masses. The other force is one of bitterness and hatred, and it comes perilously close to advocating violence. It is expressed in the various black nationalist groups that are springing up across the nation, the largest and best-known being Elijah Muhammad’s Muslim movement. Nourished by the Negro’s frustration over the continued existence of racial discrimination, this movement is made up of people who have lost faith in America, who have absolutely repudiated Christianity, and who have concluded that the white man is an incorrigible ‘devil’”.

The chapter then outlines how the nation of islam disputed political propaganda and the goals set by civil rights leaders, bills, and votes. They believed in renewing black pride and dignity. The nation of islam is very appealing because it assured black people a sense of identity. Carson describes the influence of the nation of islam as Dignity racial pride hope.Lewis Michaux- garvey activist

James Baldwin argues that “such Frustrations, so long endured, is driving many strong, admirable men and women whose only crime is color

The idea of relating public and private events in Baldwin’s own experiences is instituted later in the essay in order to transition from narrative to analysis. Baldwin started telling a story about when he lived in New Jersey before the time of his father’s death. He talked about his personal treatment by white people in the south, a first hand account of the racism of that particular era. He learned of the hostility of the Jim Crow Laws inflicted on African Americans during that time period. His story was analogous to nearly all African Americans at that point. When Baldwin lived in New Jersey, he became exposed to the racism of the south that occurred in restaurants and diners. During one of those experiences he wrote, “I

While advocating for racial justice as a minister of the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X claims that blacks must separate from their corrupt society and squarely blames the white man for the plight of blacks. The

Baldwin determines that violence and racial separatism are not acceptable solutions for achieving “power”. Baldwin believes that black people will only be able to achieve lasting influence in America if they love and accept white people. In contrast, writing 52 years after Baldwin, Coats tells his own son to “struggle” but not

James Baldwin in “Notes of a Native Son” writes about the death of his father and his struggle in America during segregation. He also reveals that he didn’t have a very good relationship with his ill father. Throughout the essay there is a repetition of bitterness. Also, Baldwin’s experiences reveal his purpose for writing the essay. One passage that is especially revealing is on page 222 which says, “When he died I had been away from home for a little over a year. In that year I had had time to become aware of the meaning of all my father’s bitter warnings, had discovered the secret of his proudly pursed lips and rigid carriage: I had discovered the weight of white people in the world. I saw that this had been for my ancestors and now would be for me an awful thing to live with and that the bitterness which had helped to kill my father could also kill me.” This passage reveals how Baldwin’s relationship with his father, and his father’s warnings help demonstrate how hatred can cause negative effects on African Americans.

King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” discusses the topic of segregation and just and unjust laws, whereas Baldwin in his “Notes of a Native Son” places an emphasis on relationships, particularly the relationship between his father and him. Additionally, Baldwin discusses the impact of racism on the lives of African Americans during that time. Although these essays are dated back over fifty years ago; the topics discussed in them are still very common today.

James Baldwin is looked upon by many as the first of the great Black writers to have had a significant impact on the Civil Rights movement. James Baldwin work was very important to the civil rights movement and he was influenced by the civil rights movement. Born in 1924, Baldwin moved to Paris, France in his early twenties and it was from there that he did most of his important writing (Boyd). Baldwin began his writing career as a novelist and his personal goal was always to attain a status as a respected novelist but it was his contributions as an essayist that provided him with his greatest level of respect. Beginning in the mid-1950s and continuing through the 60s, Baldwin wrote a series of essays that were not only critically acclaimed but were also considered to have significant impact on the Civil Rights movement in the United States.

Another Country and Go Tell it on the Mountain are two of James Baldwin's most analyzed novels. Some see both novels as great additions to American literature, while others criticize Baldwin's unique writing style used in both works.

The Nation of Islam strongly disagreed and forbade its members and especially Malcolm X from taking part in the political scene (Litwack pg 7). Malcolm knew that if the black population continued to act as a separate community while also avoiding political action, they would never achieve equality. The Nation of Islam strongly disagreed and forbade its members and especially Malcolm X from taking part in the political scene (Litwack, pg 7).  These differing viewpoints and the growing jealousy of Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm’s mentor and leader of the Nation of Islam, were the fundamental reasons not only for him leaving the Nation of Islam but for the entire tone of  “the Ballot or the Bullet” speech (Haley, pg 1).

Baldwin noticed countless connections amid Malcolm X and himself. Mutually Baldwin and Malcolm X were irritated, clever black men who by no means let white civilization off the catch. Both were not enthusiastic to linger for white culture to fix the Negro issue. This originated them in cooperation to become conscious that the central white society in America was not rather what they required to be a fraction of. Baldwin disagreed, like Malcolm X white culture in America had to take an excellent extended look at its individual times past. It must have been obligated to come to the reality of slavery and the chronological certainty of the prejudice aligned with blacks. He disputed like Malcolm, that white culture was not anything to imitate and that if the black race was to raise itself up, it would have to pick up itself out of the foremost society. The Civil Rights group was not about incorporation of blacks into white culture. It was about altering white culture by strengthening it to recognize what it had put through to the blacks.

Throughout history African Americans have always suffered hatred and have always been rejected by Americans. As of today they are still [being treated like slaves as always ranked lower then rest of the people]*How then do you account for an African-American being the CEO of one of the top global companies?*. “Going to meet the man” a story by James Baldwin is a great example of how African Americans were treated in late 1900s; how they were used as entertainment for white people and how they were never given their human rights. It also shows some of the abuses faced by black women. They were made fun of for their skin and were beaten badly if they tried to get their basic rights. The black community has been consistently rejected [all though] the history of America and has faced continued disrespect.*Is this your opinion, or your interpretation of Baldwin’s opinion?*

In 1957, Baldwin got involved in the Civil Rights Movement. His contribution to the movement included a multitude of books that focused on African American and White relations including, among others: The Fire Next Time. Along with his books, Baldwin wrote many articles about society and human rights. Furthermore, as an activist Baldwin ventured to the south several times in order to get a better understanding of the race issues in America. Baldwin also attended the March on Washington and remained active until he died. Through his writing, Baldwin became one of the most important advocates for equality in America.