JAMES BALDWIN

James Baldwin was born in Harlem on August 2, 1924. The oldest of nine children, he grew up in poverty, developing a troubled relationship with his strict, religious stepfather. As a child, he cast about for a way to escape his circumstances. As he recalls, “I knew I was black, of course, but I also knew I was smart. I didn’t know how I would use my mind, or even if I could, but that was the only thing I had to use.” By the time he was fourteen, James was spending much of his time in libraries and had found his passion for writing. Baldwin would go on to become a prolific and influential novelist, essayist, poet and playwright, exploring themes of race, sexuality, and class. He is widely considered one of the twentieth century’s most important and vocal advocates for equality. His unfinished manuscript Remember This House formed the basis for Raoul Peck’s documentary film I Am Not Your Negro released in 2016. Barry Jenkins adapted Baldwin’s fifth novel, “If Beale Street Could Talk”, into a film of the same name released in 2018, receiving numerous accolades, awards, and nominations, and winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Regina King. The Life of James Baldwin In 1987, James died of stomach cancer at age 63. Make sure to also check out James’ impactful clip from, I Am Not Your Negro. Sources: [brittanica.com, biography.com]