Homosexuals and James Baldwins Role in the Civil Rights...

During the Civil Rights Movement, James Baldwin wrote many articles and essays on racial issues. His unique and powerful style invoked the thoughts of many people. What also made Baldwin stand out from others was his homosexuality. Baldwin wrote several essays and novels that had a homosexual theme rooted within the story. It was through this method that Baldwin was able to express his homosexuality and at the same time present a view of black culture that was highly unacceptable during that time period. His works gave him much widespread attention but essentially he was not recognized as a prominent leader of the movement. This was a result of stereotyped images of homosexuals and the desire for African American men†¦show more content†¦Understanding why Baldwin was criticized requires a look into the time period in which the movement took place. According to Spurlin, Time Magazine on May 17, 1963, produced a cover story on Baldwin as part of an article that was titl ed â€Å"Races: Freedom - Now.† (105). The article highlights Baldwin and has much praise about his work. However, it takes a dreadful turn when the article says that Baldwin â€Å"is not, by any stretch of the imagination, Negro leader. He tries no civil rights cases in the courts, preaches from no pulpit, devises no stratagems for sit-ins, Freedom Riders or street marchers.† (qtd. in Spurlin 105). It begins to become clear that even though Baldwin is highly looked upon within the community, writing essays and novels isn’t seen as a form of action that will bring about change. However, the article had more to say about Baldwin, this time about his sexuality. It says that he is â€Å"a nervous, slight, almost fragile figure, filled with frets and fears. He is effeminate in manner, drinks considerably, smokes cigarettes in chains, and he often loses his audience with overblown arguments† (qtd. in Spurlin 105; emphasis added). To label Baldwin as an effeminate figure is something that homosexuality is often stereotyped as being. Even though placing Baldwin in thisShow MoreRelatedThe Light and Darkness of Suffering Depicted in Sonnys Blues2446 Words   |  10 Pagespain that defines us as individuals. The question becomes do we let suffering consume us, or do we let it define our lives? Through James Baldwin’s story, â€Å"Sonny’s Blues†, the manner by which one confronts the light and darkness of suffering determines whether one is consumed by it, or embraces it in order to â€Å"survive.† Viewing a collection of these motifs, James Baldwin’s unique perspective on suffering as a crucial component of human development becomes apparent. It is through his compassionate portrayalRead MoreThe Great Malcolm X And The Influential James Baldwin !2092 Words   |  9 Pagesstill remains. Have we heard about the glorious moments and the various amounts of greatness co me to in America? Sounds like I’m talking about a super hero right? The truth is, yes, for many of us the late 1920’s delivered two of many heroes that we still value heroically today. I’m talking about the immense Malcolm X and the influential James Baldwin! â€Å"You cannot give up on the American dream. We cannot allow our fears and our disappointments to lead us into silence and into inaction.† Marco RubioRead MoreAnalysis Of James Baldwin s The Blues 2182 Words   |  9 Pagesstory by famed African-American author James Baldwin, is the story of two bothers. Other famous stories of two brothers include both The Prodigal Son parable and the story of Cain and Abel, both from which Baldwin clearly draws inspiration from. Baldwin grew up with many religious teachings, as his adoptive father, David Baldwin, was a preacher. Though the relationship between father and son was not enviable, Baldwin still grew up active in his religion (James Baldwin- Biogra phy). Baldwin, despiteRead MoreAnother Country By James Baldwin2288 Words   |  10 PagesAnother Country is a fiction book written by James Baldwin in 1962. James Baldwin was an essayist, playwright, and novelist with many popular writings. He is an iconic African American for his writings during the Civil Rights era in the United States focusing on racial and social issues. In Another Country, Baldwin’s characters go through interracial, homosexual, bisexual, and violent relationships. The main character, Rufus Scott, is an African American jazz drummer that commits suicide after the