History of Philosophy Audio Archive The James Baldwin v. William F. Buckley Debate
Jun 19, 2024
41:35
In 1965, James Baldwin debated William F. Buckley on the following topic: "Has the American Dream been Achieved at the Expense of the American Negro?"
Baldwin argued first in the Affirmative, followed by Buckley.
I wanted to post this debate, not because I regard the terms of the debate as legitimate (I do not, and in case it isn't obvious, I think Baldwin is completely in the right) but because of the fact that despite its historicity, this debate is almost mythological in status in the sense that it is still, somehow, continuing in America.
My thanks to OpenCulture and Aeon for providing the source material for the audio.