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American History Tellers

Great American Authors | The Enduring Message of James Baldwin | 7

Jan 3, 2024
In this episode, Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr., author of 'Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own,' explores the enduring relevance of James Baldwin’s writings on race and the civil rights movement. They discuss Baldwin’s perspective on assassinations, race in America, and the experiences of Black Americans in Europe. The episode also delves into Baldwin's legacy, his decision to stay in France, his role in the civil rights struggle, and his impactful debate with William F. Buckley.
38:10

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • James Baldwin's works reflect his struggles and questioning of faith in America's promises.
  • Living abroad allowed Baldwin to understand America's contradictions and dedicate time to his writing.

Deep dives

Baldwin's Relevance and Value

Despite being told that James Baldwin is no longer relevant, his contributions to the civil rights movement, powerful novels, and essays on Black life in America make him a significant figure. Baldwin's insights on race, Vietnam, Watergate, and the experiences of Black Americans in Europe remain relevant and important.

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