Written during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, James Baldwin’s biographical essays teach Americans what it’s like to be a black man in our society as it emerged from Jim Crow. Even sixty years later, it still resonates with me as I seek to understand my African-American young mentee. Certainly, much progress has been made as reading these essays shows, but Baldwin shows even then what progress we can still make now.

This short book consists of two parts. First, a memoir details how American religion has failed the black man. On the one hand, you have a Christian church which, too often, has become a trumpet for subservience to whites. He describes his life as a pastor’s son and his early flirtation with a ministerial career. On the other, militant Islam inaccurately makes all white people into “devils.” He describes meeting Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammed in Chicago and why he didn’t convert. He tries to tease out a more moderate middle way.

In the second essay, Baldwin writes a personal essay on the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. He describes the unheralded benefits African Americans bring to society. He highlights how black voices often show shortcomings of whites and the willful ignorance of white culture. Even sixty years later, these views continue to be controversial, but hard to argue against.

In a contemporary world where the Black Lives Matter continues to teach us of systemic inequities, this book reminds us that prophets like Baldwin saw many problems in the 1960s. The pace of change is, unfortunately, slow, but the promise of a more just society makes the struggle worth it. Baldwin’s command of both the English language and social conditions surpasses almost every other voice except luminaries like Dr. King. Baldwin’s words, though piercing, resonate with me as deeply true and reliable. If only white Americans would listen better! ( )

baldwin's one of the bests. short, succinct, and somehow also elegant writing ( )

Short, incisive essays on race relations in the USA. Published in 1963 and still amazingly relevant. ( )

One short letter and one longer essay. The longer essay covers something of Baldwins experience growing up in Harlem, but also about him meeting Elijah Muhammed and his people. Interesting insights into race relations in America in the 1960s and earlier. ( )

“One is responsible to life: It is the small beacon in that terrifying darkness from which we come and to which we shall return. One must negotiate this passage as nobly as possible, for the sake of those who are coming after us. But white Americans do not believe in death, and this is why the darkness of my skin so intimidates them.” ( )