There were so many Black Writers before James Baldwin and after him starting with the early 1900's. Just to name a few, W.E.B. Du Bois, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Richard Wright (Native Son, James Baldwin did the introduction on this novel), Ralph Ellison, Malcolm X, LeRoi Jones and others.
Some of these #BlackWriters were our prophets. But just like everything was stolen from Black People, we also didn't know God. We didn't know Him good enough to rebuke or question the interpretations of the enemy. (Maybe the #BlackChurch needs to realize that every prophet does not have a pulpit, and we can learn from those who by their actions speak louder than words, and reach far more people than those who do have one).
Several of these writers had large followings, and I believe their followers are alive and well today. Some of them have become skeptics who say I told you so nothing has changed, criminals who would rather steal or murder rather than put away their pride and work for a living, and those who are hedonistic in their life styles. And there are many who have given up on the fight for justice and humanity. They have buckled under the oppressions of the past and present. We have been our own worst enemies. The Bible teaches us to "gain our freedom if we can, but don't use our freedom for evil. Don't be envious of men whose reward is in this world". White people are not giving up their "shit". But that doesn't mean we should give up. We need to keep our integrity, we need to know we are not fighting and dying just for the (evil desires of #materialism).
The same guilt, or virtue of seeing the evil being placed on Black People that led a few white people to let us learn of God and worship Him is still alive today. But it is not and will never be enough to sustain Black People in the quality of life (#materialism) we continue to pursue. And without any visual perception of an apology from whites or without a desire for something more than just equality with our worldly masters, Black People have taken their eyes off the prize. It is clear that we are not willing to die for whatever it is we are pursuing, as we have never (with a few exceptions) initiated violence on white people as they have done to us. (They are willing to die for their positions, powers, systems, and possessions) But we don't read and learn from our Black Experience. We don't believe the Bible. If we did we would have soon realize that we don't have integrity. We must be willing to die for what we believe. And the way to do that is, start by dying to our own evil ways.
The same hatred that sustained racism from the beginning still exist today. And I personally think it is more, and or more complex, polluting everything. Baldwin grew up in the Church, but as a homosexual he fell out of the Church's grace. This is another problem that has gone unsolved (and has been here since the beginning. It is as if we are still living in the 30's, 40's, 50's 60's, 70,s, almost 100 years later. This is my conclusion, like the "Preacher" says in Ecclesiastes, it's all vanity. The most anyone can do now is love God and keep His commandments. God is still in control my Black People. We cannot serve man and God too.
Some of these #BlackWriters were our prophets. But just like everything was stolen from Black People, we also didn't know God. We didn't know Him good enough to rebuke or question the interpretations of the enemy. (Maybe the #BlackChurch needs to realize that every prophet does not have a pulpit, and we can learn from those who by their actions speak louder than words, and reach far more people than those who do have one).
Several of these writers had large followings, and I believe their followers are alive and well today. Some of them have become skeptics who say I told you so nothing has changed, criminals who would rather steal or murder rather than put away their pride and work for a living, and those who are hedonistic in their life styles. And there are many who have given up on the fight for justice and humanity. They have buckled under the oppressions of the past and present. We have been our own worst enemies. The Bible teaches us to "gain our freedom if we can, but don't use our freedom for evil. Don't be envious of men whose reward is in this world". White people are not giving up their "shit". But that doesn't mean we should give up. We need to keep our integrity, we need to know we are not fighting and dying just for the (evil desires of #materialism).
The same guilt, or virtue of seeing the evil being placed on Black People that led a few white people to let us learn of God and worship Him is still alive today. But it is not and will never be enough to sustain Black People in the quality of life (#materialism) we continue to pursue. And without any visual perception of an apology from whites or without a desire for something more than just equality with our worldly masters, Black People have taken their eyes off the prize. It is clear that we are not willing to die for whatever it is we are pursuing, as we have never (with a few exceptions) initiated violence on white people as they have done to us. (They are willing to die for their positions, powers, systems, and possessions) But we don't read and learn from our Black Experience. We don't believe the Bible. If we did we would have soon realize that we don't have integrity. We must be willing to die for what we believe. And the way to do that is, start by dying to our own evil ways.
The same hatred that sustained racism from the beginning still exist today. And I personally think it is more, and or more complex, polluting everything. Baldwin grew up in the Church, but as a homosexual he fell out of the Church's grace. This is another problem that has gone unsolved (and has been here since the beginning. It is as if we are still living in the 30's, 40's, 50's 60's, 70,s, almost 100 years later. This is my conclusion, like the "Preacher" says in Ecclesiastes, it's all vanity. The most anyone can do now is love God and keep His commandments. God is still in control my Black People. We cannot serve man and God too.
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