What do you think Baldwin would say about the social changes evident in our society in 2009? Based on what you have read in "Nobody Knows My Name," do you believe that he would see whatever optimism he might have felt about the end of colonialism and the beginnings of the civil rights movement as finally being rewarded? Are there any recent historical events that you think would particularly surprise him, sadden him, or upset him as proof of positive or negative changes? Why?
Explore your thoughts on Baldwin and these questions in your own blog entries for Wednesday. Be sure to make yourself followers of your classmates' blogs, and to create a profile for yourself before class on Wednesday.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
.jpg)
I dont think that Baldwin would be all that impressed with the "progress" that america has made socially. Even though there has been much improvement since the civil rights movement, i don't think he would be willing to applaud the achievement. I believe that he would only be able to say that it was about time that the country has reached this point in the equal social standing for African Americans.
ReplyDeleteFor, although there is less racial tension in our generation than there was in the past, it is still very much there. America has begun to be split even more by its economic status. As the unemployment rates grow higher and higher the social classes are being pushed farther and farther apart.
I think Baldwin would draw attention to the fact that during the New Orleans flooding, there was not nearly enough preperation. I think he would continue to argue that not only did the government fail its people but that it actually knocked down the large population of African Americans that live there.
I think he would be proud to see the current president in office. Yet i do not believe that he would forget the fact the that President Obama is also half white. My understanding of Baldwin is that he would not have been completely satisfied even today with the social status of America. I dont think Baldwin would have been satisfied untill all citizens were given a completely unbiased opportunity to life. Unfortuneately, i do not believe i will see that in my life time.
Kranti, I appreciate your thoughtful response; I agree that Baldwin would definitely be saying, "It's about time!" Can you tell me why you think that Obama being bi-racial might matter, to Baldwin or to anyone else concerned with achieving social justice and creating a society where our biases about race do not impede our ability to be inclusive of all people?
ReplyDelete