Essay on Baldwins View of Christianity - 556 Words

In The Fire Next Time, James Baldwin addressed the problem of racism that existed in the early 1960s. He gives very powerful accounts of his life growing up in Harlem in the 1930s and 40s. Throughout the book he gives accounts of how whites, blacks, Christians, and Muslims all can be blamed for the racial tensions that existed in the early 1960s. While Baldwin spends much of the criticism on whites, Christians, and Jews, and their inability to give up their hold on the political, financial, and religions power of the country, he also holds the Black and Muslim communities responsible for not working harder to make things better. Baldwin does not feel that the Whites are totally accountable for the racial situation that exists in the†¦show more content†¦He soon began preaching in this church, as his father did in his, and soon became a big influence. Because of this status, he achieved a sudden right to privacy and immunity from punishment. Most importantly, his father had little control over him. Baldwin was very enamored with the music and drama of the church. He enjoyed the attention he received while in the pulpit and truly believed that he was making a difference. He also had made a friend, Jesus, whom he felt, all the time, would never fail him. Soon, Baldwin would go to high school, a predominately Jewish school, and would become educated. Not long afterwards, Christianity would lose its favor for the young man. Once again the idea of color, and the inferiority of his color especially, were being thrown back in his face. He suddenly was faced with the knowledge that Whites wrote the Bible, and that Blacks were descendants of Ham, who was cursed by God. This Jewish viewpoint suddenly changed Baldwins view on religion. He realized that his ...fate had been sealed forever, from the beginning of time(36). He realized that this was not only what Christiandom believed, but also the way it behaved(36). Being a little more educated, Baldwin realized that it was not the religion that was going to pull him out of the ghetto but the money that the church took from itsShow MoreRelatedJames Baldwin s Religious Writings1408 Words   |  6 Pageshis own opinions about religion. James Baldwin’s religious experiences, some harsh and some pleasant, explain the apparent and diverse descriptions of varied forms of Christianity in his works. James Baldwin’s religious lifestyle served as the root of the Christian nature of his stories. Fred L. Stanley, author of Conversations with James Baldwin, states that Baldwin oftentimes wrote autobiographically (Stanley). In saying this Stanley reveals that Baldwin’s works often discuss or touch upon realRead MoreThe Fire Next Time By James Baldwin906 Words   |  4 Pageshas been prevalent, within the confines of the United States especially. James Baldwin, author of The Fire Next Time, writes of his experiences and thoughts of racism throughout his life in the previously mentioned book. Though published in 1962, Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time greatly relates to the U.S even to this day. Baldwin shows a different side of racism that one might have never thought—while keeping a sense of hope for the future intact. In the first essay dedicated to his nephew, Baldwin saysRead MoreAnalysis Of James Baldwin s The Fire Next Time 901 Words   |  4 Pages-1 970s). He wrote many influential essays and poems that impacted many people’s views on the history and hardships African Americans went through living in America. James Baldwin explains in his essay that black people in America have to accept the way of white people in their own views. Baldwin shows the reader what it is like to be a â€Å"negro† and what they have to go through everyday life in his essay. Through his own views he describes the negative history of blacks in a way of acceptance, hope andRead MoreAnalysis Of James Baldwin s The Fire Next Time 1919 Words   |  8 PagesThe following are my reflections on The Fire Next Time, James Baldwin’s (1963) two autobiographical essays, a compelling precursor to many of the components of the Civil Rights movement, with resounding motifs of power/politics, religion/morality, racial injustice, and freedom. Baldwin lived in Europe for a number of years and felt compelled to return to America to get involved i n the Civil Rights movement (James Baldwin Biography - life, children, name, school, son, old, information, born, movieRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Going On Meet The Man By James Baldwin1312 Words   |  6 Pagesrelated to love, race, death, life, hatred and sexuality. These stories capture readers because the readers will be exposed to human nature and more experience in a moment of history. One should read Going to Meet The Man, because it allows readers to view perspectives through the eyes of a man, woman, black and white people, and children and what racism have done to the recipient. James Baldwin gives readers the importance of racism and the acceptance of historical moments. Sonny s Blues is a storyRead MoreCritical Book Analysis: The Fire Next Time. James Baldwin1144 Words   |  5 Pagesduring the civil rights movement of the 1960’s. The Fire Next Time is often regarded as one of his best works and cemented his role as a leading spokesman for the African American community. Baldwin spoke out against all kinds of discrimination. Baldwin’s ultimate message was that the redeeming power of love, understanding and self-determination would free African Americans of the â€Å"Negro Problem† (a euphemism for racial tension at the time) and the mythical idea of white racial superiority (oftenRead MoreIn 1095 Pope Urban Ii Delivered A Riveting Call To Arms1433 Words   |  6 Pagesof the first crusade, it is necessary to consider what the Franks themselves described as their goals. Throughout the eyewitness account of Fulcher of Chartres, he asserts that the crusades are motivated by the word of God and the veneration of Christianity. Thou gh Fulcher is a priest and thereby biased toward the opinions of the clergy, his history still encompasses all aspects of the crusade. When generalizing the motives of the entire group, Fulcher’s bias as a clergyman must be considered. Urban’sRead MoreEssay on James Baldwin1907 Words   |  8 PagesNew York. In Harlem his mother would meet and marry a preacher by the name of David Baldwin, hence were James got his last name. â€Å"David Baldwin became a center of conflict and understanding, hate and respect in Baldwin’s early life and in some of his best writing.† Regardless of Baldwin’s strained relationship with David, out of respect for him he would always refer to him as his â€Å"father† and not his â€Å"step-father. Growing up in the treacherous streets of Harlem was not an easy battle for BaldwinRead MoreWe Can Make America What America Must Become A Nigger845 Words   |  4 Pagesin, not only his nephew (who he wrote this letter to), but also in the citizens of America. Baldwin views the evolution of America as one that transcends the stereotypes of race, the hypocrisy of religion, and evolves towards the acceptance of the individual. â€Å"You can only be destroyed by believing that you really are what the white world calls a nigger† (4). One of the main points in Baldwin’s letter to his nephew is that if one believes he is only capable of what is already dictated to him,Read MoreBlues for Mister Charlie2234 Words   |  9 Pagesissues such as race, discrimination, and Christianity. From very early in the play a person can understand what is on Mr. Baldwins mind. For there he tells you that his play is dedicated to the memory of Medgar Evers, and his widow and his children, and to the memory of the dead children of Birmingham. The title also brings the person watching up to date of Mr. Baldwins standpoint. Mister Charlie is the phrase the Negro uses for the white man. Baldwin’s play tells the story for white mans issues