James Baldwin was, however, an "integrationist," though he was not personally comfortable with that term (Ticket 497). Baldwin came back to the United States from France in the early 1960s to take part in Dr. King's marches and protests. Baldwin did not believe in the separation of the races. He believed that we all have to live together and love each other, not as blacks and white, but as human beings. Baldwin said, "From my point of view -- no label, no slogan, no party, no skin color, and indeed, no religion is more important than the human being" (James Baldwin, film). He also said, "All men are brothers -- that's the truth" (James Baldwin, film).
James Baldwin and Malcolm X were not trying to break down the door of white society so they could be let in; they were breaking down the door so they could get out.
Baldwin, James. Go Tell it on the Mountain. New York: Dell, 1952.
---. The Price of the Ticket: Collected Nonfiction 1948-1985. New York: St. Martin's, 1985.
Fanscott, Peter. "The Dilemma of a Native Son." Newsweek 14 Dec. 1987: 86.
Foner, Eric, and John A. Garraty, eds. The Reader's Companion to American History. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1991.
Friedrich, Otto. "Bearing Witness to the Truth." Time 14 Dec. 1987: 80-81.
"James Baldwin Debates the Black Muslims." Audiotape. Center for Cassette Studies, 1969.
James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket. Dir. Karen Thorsen. California Newsreel, 1990.
Solomon, Barbara Probst. "For James Baldwin." Dissent. Spring 1988: 219-222.
"The World I Never Made." Audiotape. National Press Club, 1986.
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Last update: 15 July 1998
URL: http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/kaleidoscope/volume4/fire.html