James Baldwin

James Baldwin (1924–1987) was a groundbreaking Black American writer and social critic whose work explored the intersections of race, sexuality, and identity. Born in Harlem, he rose from poverty to become one of the 20th century’s most influential voices. His essays, such as those in Notes of a Native Son (1955), and novels like Go Tell It on the Mountain and Giovanni’s Room, boldly addressed both the realities of racism and the complexities of being a gay Black man in a deeply prejudiced society. Baldwin refused to separate his sexual identity from his politics, challenging both white supremacy and homophobia in his work and public life. Though he lived much of his adult life in France, he returned often to the U.S. to support the Civil Rights Movement, forging relationships with leaders like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Baldwin’s legacy endures as a fierce, fearless advocate for human dignity and truth. His work continues to resonate as a prophetic examination of democracy, love, and the enduring fight for Black liberation.

The Joy Trip Project celebrates American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series aims to elevate the untold stories of Black Americans who are too often left out of the stories share about our common national heritage.

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