James Baldwin on the Black Experience in America
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- Опубликовано: 25 ноя 2024
- From a 1960 Canadian television interview, broadcaster Nathan Cohen talks to author James Baldwin about race relations and the black experience in the United States.
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“I realized that when I was very young - that whatever he was looking at, wasn’t me.” That’s powerful.
Summer Beasley I feel this way today in 2020
aaron pryor I think it’s that, and more. There is a sexual currency that comes with our magnetism.. that drives all the Becky’s and Karen’s of the world to move aggressively in our direction. If they can not possess or control it..it must be destroyed. Just my thought. I am beautiful, black, walked with great beauty in NY and Italy.. trust and believe, the eyes don’t lie. White men are absolutely scary when their advances are not received.
@aaron pryor There's a truth to what you say.
@@mobutter2879 You're not racist.
this is a really toxic thread of comments here. if we want to make any progress, we have to stop with the negative generalizations about a mass group of people. it's divisive at best
Believe if it not, there was a time when intelligent discussion about sensitive subjects was actually allowed on public TV. When I was young back in the 60’s, Janes Baldwin, Malcolm X, Rev. M L King, and many others could be heard on TV. Not in ten second sound bites but for lengthy interviews. Today, this would never happen on US television.
Absolutely, and the absence of much-needed nuance can be seen in the comments sections, and in social media.
In your opinion, why do you think that is? Why does this never happen? I'm genuinely curious.
@@HiisStevethere The agglomeration of the media into fewer hands, among other reasons. Look at the career of Rupert Murdoch. The rise of a new, young, and consumerist middle class in the 60s brought about the generation of materialistic conservatism we see today; the baby-boomers were the creche of neo-liberalism (they possess all the wealth), and they hold everyone under the power of their vote. The left-wing media is also to blame, for having followed these social climbers. Look at the UK's Guardian, and how gentrified it has become from its working-class origins. "Liberal" editorialism remains extremely prejudicial to working class intellectualism, because it threatens their position as moral torch-bearers. The entire left-right dichotomy is the "narcissism of difference" of the middle-class.
That's partially what frustrates me about how information is disseminated on social media in light of these issues, especially when it comes to educating others. Like in all truth, no amount of social media posts can embody the complexities of the plight of blacks in America or why systemic racism is a problem. I think everyone knows that, but it is in times like these when Malcolm X, James Baldwin, and much of the richness of 1960s civil rights history, maybe African american and just African philosophy really needs to be bought to light. Like you really have to hear the voices of people like James baldwin in long form, long discussions to be able to critically think and make connections across history to understand truly what is happening today. And of course that is to hear the experiences of black colleagues, people present in your personal life, for instance to better emphasize with them.
@@MaylenaScott Social media is a useful tool for tactical organisation, but it makes it harder to hear singular voices, and long term strategy requires leaders to be heard.
"If im not what they think i am, it's a threat to what they think reality is"!! Damn thats powerful!!!
Exactly
The most dangerous place for a Black man to live is in a White man's imagination. Frightening. DL Hugley
So achingly brilliant. He is a KING. The interviewer doesn’t even interrupt him - just lets Mr. Baldwin pour out a masterpiece.
Ive watched so many Baldwin interviews where he gets cut off or interrupted, I love that this interviewer recognizes hes in the presence of greatness and only speaks to expand the conversation
Could we use him now.
Canadians are very polite.
America needs to have these discussions today..publicize, unbiased, open discussion on racial issues today. instead of only when some tragic event occurs, then back to reality shows and tmz
honestly. It shouldn’t have taken this long for everyone to finally “notice”. The cycle better not continue with all this energy white people are bringing now
and especially have the public see the big connect between race, class, and the american system as a whole. critical thinking and looking back in history is also necessary too.
Okay so if I began this would you actually back it up?
@sirralex
Yes. Non-egoic discussion and conscious listening.
Keep spreading this vision.
Conscious listening and communication coupled with engaged, active, anti-racism.
We can fix the world.
@All cap not without attempting to cancel them completely if we don't like or disagree with what they are saying.
I can hear James Baldwin speak any day ,all day
Me too.
I love his manner of speech. It’s beautiful.
Yes, so true.
First time I’ve heard him speak
Me too! His way of talking is so captivating.
I gotta stop watching these intellectual videos from the 1960s and 1970s before I pick up smoking again.
😄
LOL amen
Hahhaha keep listening but dont smoke!
Looool
Just listen, don't watch
He really blessed us as a species.
@@quicktoreason2722 a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.
@Bobby Thomas Humanity, not just black and white.
@@quicktoreason2722 thank you. That took guts to say
its funny how he's gay and black people betrayed him and still attack and remove all black gay people from the black civil rights movement when he was considered a heavy weight.
This should have millions of views. There's immense power in the words being said.
It wasn't me - wow if that doesn't cut right to the bone
...... People are hated for speaking the truth, wtf makes you think this would get one million views?
Why it doesn't have milions of views is a good question....
I'm missing this type of eloquence today in being able to express one's thoughts and feelings. Very powerful and something I think more people should be re-exposed to now more than ever.
Not to take away anything of Baldwin's brilliance, but there many great video essayists out there, like Oliver Thorn on Philosophy Tube, Natalie Wynn on ContraPoints, Jacob Geller, Nerdwriter, Big Joel, Curio, Vi Hart, etc. who talk with intelligence and nuance about anything from politics to philosophy to art to video games and animated films.
My favorite poet
Y'all ever heard of Chris Hitchens? Died in 2011 but he was a great orater
@@orvilpym Your right, the eloquence has evolved and moved away from classic media and are recontextualized to fit the internet. Their statement feels like it was commenting in regards to classic media, which I think is too far gone, needs all the attention it can get. Just imagining having internet discussions like these two talk would be amazing.
All the essayists you commented on are fantastic by the way
@E That's not even remotely true. Statements like that are little more than tiring "kids these days..." tripe without the slightest bit of knowledge behind it. There's thousands of exceptionally well put together and thought out youtube essays, podcasts, twitch streams and more, all discussing topics of various movements and experiences. If you're just too lazy to look, then don't go blaming your ignorance on TikTok, blame it on yourself; there's plenty of knowledge and discussion out there.
This man is now the bar I strive for when I hope to bring some realization into this world. It is a tragedy that I had to stumble upon him. This man's work should be taught in every institution sea to sea. Far and away the most eloquently and irrefuteably real dialogue I have seen. There is a different style of discourse now. This man predicted our current situation for years.
“I realized that when I was very young - that whatever he was looking at, wasn’t me.”
I told a group of white people that I had daily interaction with that 'I don't think about being black until someone white makes a distinction' I am carrying on with my day just being human until...
What a brilliant, profound and articulate man. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
"You are responsible for what happens to you". "You cannot blame anybody for it". "Theres no point". "Theres no one to blame". Read this to myself and reflected on this.
pontiacmonkey this is an evolved way of thinking. As he said think of yourself as a man/woman first and you are responsible for your life. BUT. This is not to be say that circumstances or events may happen to you or impede your life/livelihood. Most of which are not your fault alone or at all. And some of which are directed by others who do wish to keep you from being who you truly are. Your decisions at the forks of each path you’ve taken despite the obstacles is what is important. Your choices.
It's important to note that he's talking about how the nation would move forward as a nation. He said the "crutch" of America was Whites looking down on Blacks, and Blacks feeling looked down upon.
For America to evolve, BOTH sides have to let go of the crutch.
It will help you, (if you're Black or White) to let go of it--but the progress of the nation will really be felt when both Black and White men let go of it at the same time.
If only one sides lets go--the other side keeps it--things will not move forward.
Jam Jox word
Such a true and empowered message, we certainly need more of this
"It assumes that you have something I want"
I don't understand that phrase ¿?
@@Twin1983 Many times my psychopathic father and brother beat me up for nothing, occasionally they tried to kill me, they lied to me and about me, they made it impossible for me to have a normal life, and when I objected, they proclaimed that I just "resented their superiority". As if.
I'm white and my white Mormon parents raised me to have a similar attitude toward black people to what they then showed toward me as the designated family loser, scapegoat, controlled foil, Munchhausen proxy, for the others to shit on and blame for the stink as part of their strategy for convincing the gullible outside world of what a special wonderful family they were, except for me of course.
I wouldn't want to be like those bastards for anything. "Resent their superiority" my ass.
And even the ignorant strangers who haven't knowingly done me any harm, but buy into the family bullshit, see me a a wannabee-one-of-them that isn't up to their standards and can only wish it were, a defective version of what they are that could perhaps be trained to imitate a simple subset of their behavior if it's defective contrary will can be broken.
Again, I'm white myself, and can't speak for black people without being guilty of something somewhat related, so don't take this as definitive, but I think that is the type of thing he was getting at. Anybody with a more direct connection might want to point out where or whether I got details wrong, or whether I was wrong to think that was the basic idea.
@@Twin1983 it means, the white man thinks he is jealous, that he wants his privilege. While the man only wants equality and not be a victim anymore. Sad that in 2020, nothing has changed in that regard.
Innocent Villain I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through. I’m a Mormon too living in Europe. I’ve never seen that happen in a family. It’s so disgraceful and sad
this man is intelligent. he is a true man and very amazing to listen to. such a good voice and mind.
I appreciate so much, the interviewer's attempts to understand what was being said.
And this - if done more often, would change our entire country.
Yes, I could tell he was actually listening!
"political football". damn if that isn't still true so many years later.
IF I do not accept what the white Liberal think I am, Then the white Liberal condemns me. Yep 50 years later this is still true. Is not the term "Liberal" used by Democrats / Leftest/ progressives a misnomer? "If you are black and don't vote for me you are not black enough" said Joe Biden 2020. Every black that becomes Conservative is condemned by the left. "Political football". damn if that isn't still true so many years later.
@@bobknight33 man that line by Biden was Exactly what i was thinking about when i wrote that. that and the fact that ppl were surprised that the black vote wasn't a block during the Dem primaries.
yeah, like Colin Kaepernick
@@bobknight33 Thing is political football applies both ways. The Republicans often hailed as the party of conservatives will also provide lip service to conservative blacks in order to try to get them on their side, but just like the Democrats, they will only do the bare minimum necessary for them to get votes again and instead focus all their time and money on serving the rich white upper class - just usually that means whatever is required to minorly extend the conservative ideology rather than any specific black racial issues like the Democrats. The political system has been rigged this way for the last 40 years. The rich own both the Democrat and Republican politicians, and try to get people to focus on identity politics, whether that be based of personal identity or party identity, while they meanwhile make off with the bank. They played the greatest hand out of any group in power in history and built the system this way to ensure their stranglehold on power in America. We're currently suffering the consequences of that between the pandemic and these riots.
@@TheRedKing247 No one has told you, so I'll say it: you told the undeniable truth. What I've always known as a black person is that there is racism in both parties, with both being responsible for legislation that created immense sufferings to the black community. But the conversation is that black people are fueled by the same identity politics that undercut and overwhelm the modern conversation about politics, when in reality we vote and have always voted our survival, however we determine can achieve it. Thank you.
happy pride to my fav black lbgtq person
To disconnect from the negative stereotype and prejudice that has been attached to one because of the color of their skin. Is indeed a powerful message. Because what this person sees is not you, but his own ideas, fear and prejudice that have been passed on and continue to grow in his mind without any regard for the truth
James Baldwin was on another level when it came to "intellectulizing", race/racism, so damn powerful and extremely relevant NOW and always !
Langston Hughes
If u haven't, please read his books, The Fire Next Time, Giovanni's Room, The Amen Corner, Go Tell It On The Mountains, If Beale Street Could Talk, Going To See The Man, I keep his books n teachings very close!👏💜🗿
👌
Can I find them on Amazon?
Thank you so much I will now
@@kiara198923 You likely can. I'm sure the library will definitely have it.
His essay collection too, it is phenomenal, each essay that I read forces me to stop, think, rethink, over and over and over again.
Been watching some videos of malcolm x and James baldwin these last days and i’m just in awe with their ability to express and put into words these complex issues of our society, it is very hard to find people these days who have this eloquence
Major props to the interviewer who is actually letting him speak, showing a genuine interest and asking interesting questions. A far cry from what we get on television now.
This man is the most intelligent, deep human I have ever heard. I wish we had more of these.
I'm so glad we learned about Baldwin in my AP history class in high school. Everyone should watch the film "I am not your negro" it's based on Baldwin's works and life and about human and civil rights in general.
That is a based political compass result
Thank you so much for publishing this. James Baldwin was one of the most important American figures to live, ever. More important than most or all of the so-called "founding fathers." I say this with no sense of hyperbole or irony.
Thank you!
Whoever captioned this video, thank you! Thank you for taking the time to create an accurate and clearly contrasted captioning. It allows Mr. Baldwin's words to come to life in real time and for all people.
Thank you pigpjs!
I wish RUclips could allow me to give multiple thumbs up for a video. I could hear James Baldwin speak many times during a 24-hour period. Incredibly powerful!
We need this level of tv commentary and interviews. No audience, no music, just a very serious conversation. I know it isn't as entertaining for some but this was so enriching to watch I am upset I didn't know of it sooner.
This is so very well articulated and so delightfully insightful. Serious food for thought, one of which is needed right now.
"It assumes you have something that I want".....lmfao ...oh dear and so true
Lucky to have these interviews online now for future generations to see and reflect on.
This discussion has new relevance in 2021. Perhaps it never ceased to be relevant.
I would love to see Lakeith Stanfield portray him in a film.
Shana Elle YES! I’m watching that movie in my right now 😆👏
True
Yes yes yes yes YES!!!
That would be perfect !!!
Dang. Hit the nail on the head
Thanks, James Baldwin. May your spirit, your commitment to truth bless us in July, 2020. We are still learning and trying to make a better
culture. May we try harder. Thanks again. Great post for our time
Free speech on Canadian television, thank you for preserving this.
Thank you!
Fuck canada
@@YongyoonKim *blame
I'm sending this... EVERYWHERE
"Whatever he was looking at, wasn't me" is a mighty powerful statement. But it's the section at 3:46 that frightens and haunts me the most. It explains, more articulately than anywhere else I've ever seen, why fascism and hatred go so hand in hand.
This man was ahead of his time. His vocabulary was outstanding
I could spend hours & hours listening to him!! So many TRUTH spoken here!!
When I hear this man speak, I can only rejoice in the clarity and mastery of language with which he is able to express his thoughts.
This man was a absolute genius
Vincent Jackson true indeed.
"it's also the way America deals with the world." Right on point. Puritan God ruler of the world.
this man's words are so powerful and the way he says them & explains them is beautiful.
"In a way black men were very useful for the american because in a country so absolutely undefined - so amorphous - where there are no limits - no height really, and no depth - there was one thing of which one could be certain. One knew where one was by knowing where the negro was. You knew that you were not on the bottom because the negro was there."
This is honestly difficult to listen to. If black men are statistically more likely to be shot by cops, they live in poorer communities, they line the jails more often, they don't have fathers, and the majority are all crying out for help and justice... I sadly know where they are. I know what it is like to be white. I know we are not the bottom - because we are not there.
yes that was a very powerful part.. wow
Im sitting here with a knot in my stomach watching this
we need more full length interviews, conversations about racism, police brutality today like they did back in the civil rights movement era
Truly Powerful Words.
Yes, My siblings and I knew that very young. Being raised in a 2parent loving black home in Alabama surrounded by grandparents and great grandparents who protected our state of minds very well!!! We all grew up to be very successful because we knew who we were! So sad that these times are reflecting no change in others peoples minds
everyone in america should have to watch this video once a year ; james baldwin, so well said, and well done by the interviewer nathan cohen as well ; we need intelligent discussion like this back in the fore-front today, not the garbage on our so-called 'news' channels
This is such a relevant and germane interview. God bless you, Mr. Baldwin.
Mad truth! Wonderful writer, wonderful mind. Teenagers suffer from this type of thinking, especially. My high school had a hideous bully culture in which kids would torment more socially vulnerable kids in order to make them selves seem more popular. That’s what happens when we draw our self-esteem fromThe assumption that we are better than someone else. Most bullying has some form of discrimination at its roots.
James Baldwin is exploding in popularity lately and I fully appreciate it.
This man nails it all perfectly. What an absolute boss.
In an age of Trump, it would be impossible not to be awestruck with this man's eloquence.
🙏🏼Intelligent men having an intelligent conversation. It’s been a while since I’ve seen this 🙏🏼
I'm filipino. The filipinos has been oppressed for 400+ years. I may not be black but I walk beside you. Respect! :)
Brilliant. Appreciate his sharing and illumination. Why don't more Black ppl know about him?
the way he speaks the so nice to listen to. and then he just tells fact after fact.
glenn loury too is easy to listen to.
I feel like this ended too soon and there was an idea to be heard afterwards aswell.
www.cbc.ca/player/play/728074819742
You can see the full interview here!
I love to hear Mr. Baldwin speak. Such insight.
Sensei Christopher Shabazz so do I.
I don't know why this talk made me feel emotional listening to him. But he was a blessing for this world.
So many nuggets were dropped within minutes. His insight is a gift.
"I have to agree that I am what he things I am in order to have any dialogue at all."
Dear James Baldwin, may your voice continue to echo throughout history. You live on, giving us your experience. Thank you.
Great job Jake!
So very powerful! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Jennifer!
Very powerful, and James Baldwin expresses a very insightful understanding.
Absolutely exceptional human whom I am blessed to have heard today. Thank you 🙏
I could listen to his voice for ages... One of the greatest speakers of his time
So well spoken and social viewpoints examined...it is so crazy that we are still dealing with these same issues.
I love how he is smoking in every interview. We need you now more than ever Mr. Baldwin 💛
Amazing how eloquent and forthright Baldwin, X and King were. Articulate and factual. No of this emotional ignorant regurgitated crap of today. These men made and make you think about racism and bigotry. All had different styles but so much truth. I grew up listening to all three and these videos are still powerful and needed for a time such as this.
I dont know why, but I find his voice so interesting to listen to
my favorite James Baldwin talk in an interview, can’t remember which or with who, but he says something like: what is it that you want me to succumb to? you always told me it takes time. i’m 60 years old, i’m not gonna live another 60 years. it’s taken my mother’s time, my father’s time, my uncle’s time, my brother’s and my sister’s time, my nieces and my nephew’s time. how much time do you want for your progress?...
I admit to being amused, and then disturbed, by the addition of english subtitles, when James Baldwin has such a clearly understandable speaking voice.
God bless this man and the words he spoke. For if you can't understand then you are not woke. 💯🔥
Such a beautiful message from a such an intelligent insightful man. Thank you for sharing this masterpiece
holy shit. best analysis of race in america ive ever seen
such an eloquent way of cutting through the matters and getting to the heart of the problem.
Wow... one of the great thinkers of the 1900's, truly a capacity for expressing with clarity. I am gonna research more of James Baldwin now, I was not fond first hearing the audio book of his famous book, but hearing his own words has changed everything I was not allowing myself to understand before.
I wish more people realized the last thing he said: ultimately, your life is in your hands.
His last words couldn't be any truer.
Yes! to some extend, but there are many more variables to the reality unfolding in front of us. A person's present and future depends so much on what has occurred in the recent and distant past. And it is legitimate to acknowledge this.
It feels as though this was written just yesterday. Timeless, and NOT in a good way. When are we going to figure this out?
James Baldwin is one of most attractive, articulate, insightful men I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. He is a true wordsmith of reality.
WOW! I'm so blown away by Mr. James Baldwin.
I love hearing him speak, I wish there were more videos of him
Am i the only one who wishes people would talk like this today?
1960, 2020 how far have we truly come? He was so wise. I followed that example and gtfo of the U.S. I so wish many of us would find wonderful places to live that treated us better. As he said you are responsible for what happens to you.
Kellie McRae
Where did you go that treated you better, Kellie?
And where in the US had you lived?
IF I do not accept what the white Liberal think I am, Then the white Liberal condemns me. Yep 50 years later this is still true. Is not the term "Liberal" used by Democrats / Leftest/ progressives a misnomer? "If you are black and don't vote for me you are not black enough" said Joe Biden 2020. Every black that becomes Conservative is condemned by the left. "Political football". damn if that isn't still true so many years later.
@@bezantler23 I grew up in Chicago, I've lived in Texas, Louisiana and Florida. I left the U.S. for Nicaragua, Thailand and Mexico. I have visited quite a few other countries. There are some great places to live outside the borders of the states. I've been gone now for 4 years and I hope I never have to live there again.
“I realized that when I was very young - that whatever he was looking at, wasn’t me.” Made me sad I know i dont know racism to the extent he did but I'm still a black man & this quote made me wanna know what they see especially back then
They still see it today
Hate to be THAT guy but basically we see a thug, with a big pecker
Ive gotten better at removing my prejudice, but thats about the root of it
Honestly its like with punk rockers you see one and you assume he's angry violent and menacing, but he really may be nice.
The difference is black people don't get to choose whether they look this way..
Brilliant!
7:15
Very powerful, so many need to hear this.
The entire video is a gem, but I think this resonates with mii the most.
So incredibly well said. Just amazing. So deeply introspective at the end too.
WOW‼️ Such insight! What a brilliant mind. I wish I could have met him! I will share his knowledge. TY for this video🙏🏿✌🏽❣
My Goodness, James has so much intelligence he could speak for years and I'd never get bored or stop listening.
I understand to an extent what he says about the white liberal needing him to be what the liberal thinks he is. For anyone politically motivated there's likely a sense of identity and ego attached to being right about your views and seeing the world correctly so that you can internally justify your actions to yourself. When your ability to justify your actions internally is threatened as he says in this video when he mentioned himself rejecting the white liberals view on him, your ego may not allow you to take such a large hit to your self esteem (in essence allow you to accept the fact you're wrong about such a big thing) if of course you have associated your beliefs with who you are as a person. This can at best see yourself delusional about a certain issue and at worse force you down paths that ally with the original delusion so as to remain constant in your ideology, which may see you far detached from reality. This happens because you're trying to avoid essentially telling yourself as a person you're ability to mentally function correctly is wrong (the antithesis of self esteem). I believe what he describes in this video where the white liberal's standard of judgement is defied by him is that psychological concept. Lesson to learn, do not hold your beliefs too close to your chest.
I disagree. In fact, he seems to address more directly the patronizing attitude the white liberal takes towards minority groups and how it perpetuates a racist past (by perpetuating that certain "image of the negro"). For example, we see the white liberal imputing at times too much influence to the minority's demographic status at the expense of the individuality of each person, and we see the white liberal sometimes taking all the blame for the plights of minority groups, thereby taking away their individual agency, etc. Does this not seem like a neo-colonialist, white-savior complex--a continuation of the "white man's burden"?
You can find a rather fascinating perspective from Žižek on the continued racism of the well-intentioned, white-liberal political correctness on RUclips.
Thank u
Dragonaut111 Agreed. I would go further and offer that everyone is grieving right now. Some over George Floyd. Some over beliefs of what reality should be that have been taken away. We all need to understand everyone is grieving. And I have no right to tell anyone how to grieve properly. That’s like going to a funeral and saying you’re not crying enough or crying too loudly. James Baldwin truly understood the human condition. And what a speaker!
Wow wow wow. Who knew this interview could reign so powerful even today
The reals ones James Baldwin and Malcolm X.
now i finally understand why Yara Shahidi loves him so much
What an insightful and eloquent man!
time for us to give up this "crutch" as he says. So intelligent and knew the answer to our problem so many years ago.