My friends know that I affectionately refer to James Baldwin as my Uncle Jimmy, as I have always been able to find solace, comfort, truth and honesty in his words. I had the chance to attend a lecture last evening - a celebration of sorts for Uncle Jimmy. I left feeling renewed in spirit, capable of slaying any dragons that I may meet on my journey. His resilience to live life to the fullest should be a testament to us all. Far too often we give excuse as to why we are not able to accomplish our dreams - Uncle Jimmy shows us that even under the most challenging circumstances it is possible. Amiri Baraka summed up James Baldwin in 1987 by saying the following:
As man, he was Our friend, Our older or younger brother, we listened to him like we would somebody in our family - whatever you might think of what he might say. We could hear it. He was close, as man, as human relative, we could make it some cold seasons merely warmed by his handshake, smile or eyes. Warmed by his voice, jocular yet instantly cutting. Kind yet perfectly clear. We could make it sometimes, just remembering his arm waved in confirmation or indignation, the rapid-fire speech, pushing out at the world like urgent messages for those who would be real.
This man traveled the earth like its history and its biographer. He reported, criticized, made beautiful, analyzed, cajoled, lyricized, attacked, sang, made us think, made us better, made us consciously human or perhaps more acidly pre-human.
He was spirit because he was living.
He was spirit because he was living.
In honor and reverence to James Baldwin I challenge you to live!
2 comments:
Love this post. I'm now interested in knowing more about him. I look forward to getting my hands on his literature and delighting myself in it. Keep going. ;o)
Well said.
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