What do you do with the reality that before he died, James Baldwin was calling on “non-participation” (i.e. complete withdrawal from the American system) as the form of protest that would ultimately be necessary? (Listen to his last speech at the national press club, in DC)
Jan 22, 2023·edited Jan 22, 2023Liked by Free Black Thought
Sounds like James Baldwin may have been angry with the American system.
Unfortunately, the majority of black people who have become engaged in the political system as politicians and activists since the 60s have done so for their own personal career ambitions and simply used “black people” as a stepping stool.
The abstract pain of black people has been exploited by black people as much as it has been exploited by people of other backgrounds, such as, possibly, the “personal faith advisor to President Obama” marketing his $26 book on FBT, Eboo Patel.
Hence why Baldwin said: “to be Black and semi-conscious in America, is to be in a constant state of rage.”
And if THAT isn’t an example of how unwelcome “free Black thoughts is, in America I don’t know what is!! Obama ditched Jeremiah Wright because Wright’s free thought as a Black man who received medals for serving his Country was not conducive for election.
I don't think it is necessary nor desirable to be in a "constant state of rage", for anyone, anywhere. Anger, and rage, while I think are not emotions that should be disparaged in their essence--I really prefer my sleep to be tranquil. Anger may be ultimately necessary for justice to prevail, but peace requires anger to take a seat. A person could have been a black slave in America in the 1830s, "fully-conscious", and regularly had times of complete tranquility. I hope many did, regardless of how conscious they were. And I hope black people today, particularly, don't find themselves in a constant state of rage because of their conception of injustice they have about their experience in America. Thats, at its best, is tragedy, not consciousness.
And while I disagree with many of Wright's political *and* spiritual views, I think Obama's relationship to him was entirely exploitative. I read Obama's "Dreams of My Father", in which he was quite clear that he sought out the "black community" to bolster his longing for identity--underlining that quest though was his own personal machiavellian political career ambitions, in which credibility as being "black" was going to be necessary for his success.
Being a "community organizer" in Chicago, and attending Jeremiah Wright's church was a method of acquiring that credibility; and once Jeremiah Wright became a liability, he deftly distanced himself and dropped Wright and his church while keeping his identity as "Chicago black Christian" among the larger public.
Oh 💯 it was exploitative. He was looking for credentials & a base for his political ambitions. Again, as you said in another comment: using Black people as a stepping stone.
And again 💯 being in a constant state of rage is NOT good. It’s why Baldwin left America, to reclaim his sanity.
This is a perfectly fine essay, but is there room on Free Black Thought for more Free BLACK Thought? Occasional contributions from persons who are not of African descent are fine, especially when they are well reasoned. However, the title of this Sub-Stack is becoming increasingly irrelevant.
I’m black. I’ve got some stuff I’d gladly write for this journal. I even have a substack of my own. But I dunno how to contact someone for the journal and submit something. I tried. Got no response.
I’d like to see my essay “Accepting the Obvious” published here.
thanks. This address at the bottom: FBT@freeblackthought.com, could be helpful perhaps. I tried to email one of the founders before; and that prolly isn't as fruitful, knowing how much I miss or ignore in my own email box...
This piece articulates for me one aspect of intellectual freedom personified by Baldwin, a black man. Now I want to learn more about him and his ideas. The author of the piece is like the envelope, and I am grateful that he delivered the letter.
Unfortunately, the letter was tampered with before you received it. Baldwin LEFT America because he had lost hope in it. So, far more removed from the Nation than even the Nation of Islam who the author attempts to malign yet who remain in America (unlike Baldwin).
Maybe not. Baldwin’s ideas and actions are one piece of data to become familiar with, and try to understand. That, in itself, is not damaged. It sounds like Baldwin disappointed you, which is unfortunate perhaps, but not a reason to reject the piece published here in FBT.
No...Baldwin hasn’t disappointed me in the least. Baldwin had nothing to do with the piece published here. And this piece was not a Black thinker on a Black man. This is some non Black person telling Black people what to think about a Black man, with whom that person is clearly not wholly familiar.
I never thought of that reading this journal (silly me, here I go again NOT being interested in someone's skin color), but I have to admit that this is a legitimate concern. There are many people of African descent who can/should be featured here, and they should be given priority. Maybe we could have a separate section for "guest contributors" for everybody else. I don't know, just a thought.
I like that non-black perspectives on these topics are included (For the record, I wrote the previous article, and hope to contribue another in the future). However, I agree that the large marjority of authors should be black.
Thanks for your insight, this makes it more interesting to read about and understand!
What do you do with the reality that before he died, James Baldwin was calling on “non-participation” (i.e. complete withdrawal from the American system) as the form of protest that would ultimately be necessary? (Listen to his last speech at the national press club, in DC)
Sounds like James Baldwin may have been angry with the American system.
Unfortunately, the majority of black people who have become engaged in the political system as politicians and activists since the 60s have done so for their own personal career ambitions and simply used “black people” as a stepping stool.
The abstract pain of black people has been exploited by black people as much as it has been exploited by people of other backgrounds, such as, possibly, the “personal faith advisor to President Obama” marketing his $26 book on FBT, Eboo Patel.
Hence why Baldwin said: “to be Black and semi-conscious in America, is to be in a constant state of rage.”
And if THAT isn’t an example of how unwelcome “free Black thoughts is, in America I don’t know what is!! Obama ditched Jeremiah Wright because Wright’s free thought as a Black man who received medals for serving his Country was not conducive for election.
I don't think it is necessary nor desirable to be in a "constant state of rage", for anyone, anywhere. Anger, and rage, while I think are not emotions that should be disparaged in their essence--I really prefer my sleep to be tranquil. Anger may be ultimately necessary for justice to prevail, but peace requires anger to take a seat. A person could have been a black slave in America in the 1830s, "fully-conscious", and regularly had times of complete tranquility. I hope many did, regardless of how conscious they were. And I hope black people today, particularly, don't find themselves in a constant state of rage because of their conception of injustice they have about their experience in America. Thats, at its best, is tragedy, not consciousness.
And while I disagree with many of Wright's political *and* spiritual views, I think Obama's relationship to him was entirely exploitative. I read Obama's "Dreams of My Father", in which he was quite clear that he sought out the "black community" to bolster his longing for identity--underlining that quest though was his own personal machiavellian political career ambitions, in which credibility as being "black" was going to be necessary for his success.
Being a "community organizer" in Chicago, and attending Jeremiah Wright's church was a method of acquiring that credibility; and once Jeremiah Wright became a liability, he deftly distanced himself and dropped Wright and his church while keeping his identity as "Chicago black Christian" among the larger public.
Oh 💯 it was exploitative. He was looking for credentials & a base for his political ambitions. Again, as you said in another comment: using Black people as a stepping stone.
And again 💯 being in a constant state of rage is NOT good. It’s why Baldwin left America, to reclaim his sanity.
Hi, Eboo! Nice work and nice to see you again.
The right idea at the right time. Creative. Yes! 👏🇨🇦
This is a perfectly fine essay, but is there room on Free Black Thought for more Free BLACK Thought? Occasional contributions from persons who are not of African descent are fine, especially when they are well reasoned. However, the title of this Sub-Stack is becoming increasingly irrelevant.
I’m black. I’ve got some stuff I’d gladly write for this journal. I even have a substack of my own. But I dunno how to contact someone for the journal and submit something. I tried. Got no response.
I’d like to see my essay “Accepting the Obvious” published here.
I tried as well.
the website, freeblackthought.com, lists the editors at the bottom of the about page.
thanks. This address at the bottom: FBT@freeblackthought.com, could be helpful perhaps. I tried to email one of the founders before; and that prolly isn't as fruitful, knowing how much I miss or ignore in my own email box...
Hi Jeffrey! Can you email us again at the email again at fbt@freeblackthought.com?
Thanks! Looking forward to hearing from you...
This piece articulates for me one aspect of intellectual freedom personified by Baldwin, a black man. Now I want to learn more about him and his ideas. The author of the piece is like the envelope, and I am grateful that he delivered the letter.
Unfortunately, the letter was tampered with before you received it. Baldwin LEFT America because he had lost hope in it. So, far more removed from the Nation than even the Nation of Islam who the author attempts to malign yet who remain in America (unlike Baldwin).
Maybe not. Baldwin’s ideas and actions are one piece of data to become familiar with, and try to understand. That, in itself, is not damaged. It sounds like Baldwin disappointed you, which is unfortunate perhaps, but not a reason to reject the piece published here in FBT.
No...Baldwin hasn’t disappointed me in the least. Baldwin had nothing to do with the piece published here. And this piece was not a Black thinker on a Black man. This is some non Black person telling Black people what to think about a Black man, with whom that person is clearly not wholly familiar.
I never thought of that reading this journal (silly me, here I go again NOT being interested in someone's skin color), but I have to admit that this is a legitimate concern. There are many people of African descent who can/should be featured here, and they should be given priority. Maybe we could have a separate section for "guest contributors" for everybody else. I don't know, just a thought.
I like that non-black perspectives on these topics are included (For the record, I wrote the previous article, and hope to contribue another in the future). However, I agree that the large marjority of authors should be black.
How did you get your article submitted? They just reach out to you? I’d like to publish something here.
Moreover, of all Black Leaders still alive, Farrakhan is the most credible when it comes to being FOR Black people.