The Magnificent James Baldwin Speaks Truth To Power
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- To support my efforts to create more clips please donate to me at www.patreon.com/allinaday. This is a clip from a documentary that ran on the network educational television in early 1969. In it, poet and author James Baldwin gives his perspective on why inner-city Negro citizens rioted and burned their neighborhoods in 1968. Whether or not you agree with his point of view, he is an extraordinarily articulate speaker. During this challenging time regarding race relations in America, hearing the magnificent James Baldwin explained the 1968 riots gives a sense of perspective for the protests that are happening across the United States right now as a result of the death of George Floyd at the hands of police.
“I want exactly what you want and you know what you want. I want to be left alone.”
Simply stated and heavy !
the second half of that statement.
I WISH this is what BLM was asking for now. Instead they want compliance with their ideology, submission or you're called a racist and exiled.
@@josiec9249 it is when your minding your business doing normal stuff and someone calls the cops because you look suspicious or they don't recognize you and police shows up and kill you because they feared for their lives what else do you called them when if their skin tone was the person they would've spoke and kept it moving as he said calling it otherwise is willful ignorance and stupidity
It means: Freedom from the system, upheld by all authorities, politicians and big corporations. White people have tried and tried to make their voices heard, but in wain, so one must realize: there aren't any democracy anywhere in the world. The system is too ridgid.
I want to be left alone. I want to live like you. Still.
Can't even be left alone to make an obviously justified comment, apparently. The other person who replied to you sure made a lot of assumptions about a total stranger in one insulting & willfully ignorant statement. 😔 I wish, instead of trolling, this person would have listened to Baldwin's words. He always restores my faith in the human capacity for dignity, grace & moral clarity.
@@ozkey1558 Both mens word are true.
J P who should they vote for then ? democrats are bad and republicans are billion times worse
@J P So...the Republicans have the answer??
J P I must say this sounds like the “willful ignorance” Baldwin mentioned one this speech! You have to know by now that the crisis endured by marginalized communities of color in inner cities goes beyond what you and others mention here! And no African American leader in particular has been content with the failed programs to address that marginalization regardless of which party it came from; as BOTH have been complicit! As far as the simplistic discussion of political party to be “held most accountable” we have one that talks WITH marginalized communities and yes, fails (Democrats) and the other that talks AT marginalized communities in very condescending ways as you have exhibited JP. Perhaps unintentional?? Dunno. That’s for you to determine as no one can judge your heart.
"You will either listen or you will perish." Absolute facts
And it looks like we chose "perish". I hope there's still time to change.
Period. We are tired.
Ya, Im sure 13% of the population that has 75% single parent households where one in three men go to prison is a real threat to the white community. Fix your shit and stop blaming everyone else for your problems. White people are never going to transfer you money. If you truly want to be left alone, stop begging for reparations. You already use more government welfare than any other race. Fucking grow up and take some responsibility. It is like dealing with children with you.
Jacob Johnson
Speaking of needing to grow up...thanks for demonstrating Baldwin’s point about fear being the driving force behind white racial beliefs about blacks. Brilliant.
@@ElectronFieldPulse Enter the 30 year old living in moms basement boy....fuck off clown...
Just for the record...we had brilliant minds and speakers such as Baldwin, Dr King, Malcolm X among countless others ALONG with the federal report on the subject known as the Kerner Commission Report of 1968 (sane time of this speech here)....BUT 50+ years later STILL acting like “oh we didn’t know why y’all so angry”?!!! Nope! As Baldwin said here, willful ignorance! Thanks again for posting this important piece of history sir!! 🙏🏾
cognitive dissonance constructs a false dichotomy in the white mind: side with police (law and order) or with blacks
Yes, willful ignorance and trying to justify a reason to dominate in the white mind.
400 hundreds years of ass whooping by satan!!! Stop trying be proper and tell it like it is.
Cornel West is still alive
Greatest living intellectual in America
Willful indeed. So don't think that in time..they won't willfully forget again..
" I want EXACTLY what you want "
" It is NOT I am telling you, TIME is telling you"
Profound and strong in it's painful simplicity
"...we will live here together, or we will die here together. Its not I telling you, Time is..." James Baldwin. RIP Floyd George
@Professor ubong ibanga. Exactly!!! U betta TEACH!!!
Edit his name please. George Floyd
I'll take the former, please!
@@ChrisOhMy It is possible op is from another country where surnames are first.
So why was Baldwin so insistent on living side by side with people who he believed hated him, hated his kind, denied his humanity and would seek to oppress blacks at every turn? What people, believing they're distinct and oppressed by another, actually work to REMAIN attached to the oppressing nation, rather than trying to secede? The whole thing is BS.
"Not everything that faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced"
JAMES BALDWIN WAS ONE OF THE MOST BRILLIANT MINDS OF THE 20TH CENTURY.
"You will either listen, or you will perish". That hit me
Everyone needs to hear this message over and over
Post it, tweet it, share it.
Never too late to educate people or OURSELVES
NYC -Jes yes I have been sharing it. I hope more people do. This video sums up in three minutes the whole story
They already do
His voice needs to be heard in public schools in America.
Truly does!!
And the church.
I wish James Baldwin was here today we need black leaders like him today!!!!
Dude his words are here so he's here. We use his wisdom.
The leaders of old went on to their glory, but they left the map. We shouldn't wait for a leader we each should rise to the duty, so when one falls the tide keeps pushing forward. If we all got equal knowledge the idea of equality becomes a living breathing reality. Just like the bible teaches how to live, our elders lessons and life experiences teach how to thrive in treacherous places. The same games they played then they play now with different pieces. Sorry for getting preachy. God Bless!
I thought the same. Him and Malcolm X.
Ibram X Kendi is pretty damn amazing and working hard as hell today
@@humanforotherhumans Look up Baldwin debating Malcolm X here, you might enjoy. Baldwin was a prolific speaker.
James Baldwin was so powerful. Everyone should go read “Noted of a Native Son.”
The Fire Next Time is a must. Just read any Baldwin, he never lets reader down imo.
Notes, and yes.
Justin Arrington He or she is a novice lunatic ignorant fucking troll and not worth a response.
ConsideringPhlebas You make interesting points to me, in terms of the disintegration of the political, social and economic models of integration. What plans or solutions would you suggest for this society after centuries of us all being here together?
@@sammompoint123
There's no easy solutions. But some kind of autonomous federalization, or partition into distinct countries for different ethnic groups, where each people can govern themselves, without fear of repression by another group, and where they can define themselves as a people and don't have to live in the shadow of another, more dominant culture. People may think that this constitutes Balkanization and will lead to violence. I say, we already have Balkanization and are heading more and more in that direction under the integrationist paradigm.
A major problem with the integrationist model we live under is that it believes fundamentally that human ethnocentrism is inherently evil and must be extirpated at all costs. This strikes me as completely insane. All people everywhere have sense of who they are and, if left unmolested by ideologues, they will seek to preserve their culture, ethnic integrity, religion, language and so on. It's not a coincidence that this progressive ideology is more and more taking on the character of a severely penitential religious movement. It is fundamentally rooted in an anti-human, tyrannical idealism which seeks to deny people the right to a fundamental part of what they are: beings with an identity which they value and desire to preserve. Seeking to preserve ones own kind does not equate to hating or desiring the destruction of other peoples.
“Willful ignorance”. ..He coined the phrase. So awesome and yet so underrated.
Probably the most honest statement a man can make, James Baldwin tells the truth.
I wish I had just listened to this inspiring talk and not been dismayed by the comments left here by other listeners. I am tired of hearing ill informed people discuss remarks made in earnest by someone like James Baldwin. I invite those with an racist axe to grind after this latest tragedy to close their mouths if only out of respect for the children grieving the loss of their father.
When you dehumanize people they dehumanize the children. You will not get civility from people who view others as less than human. Evil doesn't seek to do evil. Evil does what comes natural like a lion on a gazelle. Do not expect anything from apathetic evil people.
@@KTenmo As you dehumanize people? Who are these so called collective of people who dehumanize children?
One of the greatest orators of all time.
Genius and never more timely
Very powerful stuff. We must not succumb to "willful ignorance".
Here's another...
"Those who have chosen hate as their path, those who cannot be dissuaded or deterred, let them be. But there are many, most people, whose curiosity is borne not in fear but kindness and humanity. Do not let them walk idly by, their curiosity unsated. Embrace them, share with them your daily bread, bring them home."
Here we are still.
No disrespect. Yet take a lesson from an indigenous California Native American. First I dont have a Casino. We as a country will never outlaw Racism. My people have been waiting for over 500 years. While Manifest Destiny has slowly kept mass Genocide of my people intact. Dont believe me look up the BIA. Its still here. Indigenous people like me. Dont even get to decide who is Indian enough.to be our people. The USA government still does. Compare that with human rights your afforded. It all sucks always has. No person of.color. Is truelly free.
Joey Diaz we will change
Divide and conquer ...oldest trick in the book. Follow your heart... and leave me the f*** alone
This is so deep, crazy how nothing has changed. All we want is to be left alone, why is that so hard to understand.
Not really "Apathy" kills. Look at the stock market for example. It hates uncertainty and rapid change; who controls the stock market. Those who hate and fear change. Apathy is infectious.
Cuz they dont wana leave yall alone
It’s quite clear now that America’s plan for Blacks is slavery or death-slow or swift. Our humanity is disregarded and we aren’t treated like citizens. Seeing 20/20. My beautiful Black people, we must love and trust ourselves.
Because for them to be on top, someone else must be on the bottom. Even the "most nonracist" white person has no incentive to dismantle such a system.
So either separate or have an all out civil war if you want to live and work next to them so desperately. But the fact is white people see black people as equal to or less than an animal.
SelfGoverning Loving Soul but what can we do? It’s almost like a feeling of helplessness at times.
Every single time I listen to him speak I’m left speechless , I am left in owe , no matter how many times I may listen to him , I am left with silent thoughts
James Baldwin was a prolific writer on the subject of racism, what he says is as valid then as it is today, black folk just want to be left alone...
Baldwin’s powerful words carry great force. He was very eloquent and his wisdom continues to resonate for all who crave dignity and justice.
All for that. Be more self sufficient. Do it your way. Develop your communities. I bet we will have something to learn from your successes. Just don't be asking for reparations. All of my ancestors were farming potatoes in various parts of Europe before the Civil War. Many if them were exploited when they arrive but I'm not seeking reparations.
@@lorimav No one told the Jewish to not seek reparations. Blacks are the only people that are told that ridiculous statement. Our people built this country on their backs as 3/5ths of a person and never received a dime for their hard work and labor. Had no voting rights, had to back door their entire lives, could not buy land or houses until the 1900's and could rarely obtain loans no matter how good their credit was. Generations of wealth were lost as a result of the embedded systemic discriminatory practices in this country. If no reparations, please explain how our people, who have been in the country the same length of time as those that "discovered" it, are to reach the same level of wealth as their white counterparts?
@@lorimav Were your ancestors, based on race, denied loans, denied access to desirable neighborhoods (look up redlining), denied access to education? No, they weren't and neither were mine. They worked hard, but without a boot on their necks. We need a systemic approach to fix a systemic problem/travesty, and it won't be free.
Tanya Munford Pitts Polish never received any reparations from Germany or Russia. Or the Irish from the US. Or the Japanese here from the US. Even native Americans don’t have reparations the way black people want it
In my humble opinion, one of the most dangerous individuals is the one who feels he (or she) has nothing to lose. When one is treated as if they matter, it has a profound positive impact.
So pertinent right now. Thank you for this post.
Simple to the point facts even a child could understand put in an eloquent way
I'm so grateful that I was able to meet him before he passed away. His words continue to enlighten.
Look up his debate. I believe it was in the 60s. He traveled to Europe somewhere. Debating racial differences with a top white debater. When it was over the white audience gave him a stand ovation over white debater. He was such a intelligent man.
He moved to France just to get away from American racism so he could work. Europeans are racist, but they're a different kind of racist than Americans. Americans treat their racism like a religion.
Ashes Mandalay very true and now antiracism is also a religion with its own set of detrimental effects.
@ako tairi thanks, that was a great debate.
I believe it was his debate at Cambridge.
second wave
There’s a brief piece about that debate (at Cambridge vs. William Buckley) on UA-cam here: ua-cam.com/video/MRzkHgMaPL4/v-deo.html
"you will listen or you will perish" Jesus that sent a chill down my spine.
And that's not a threat but a well-reasoned observation.
Amazing man, outstanding artist, and a true gentleman. We need voices like this again.
Words still stand true
Just wow. He was able to express so simply and clearly the ideas of why constantly referring to physical appearance and treating marginalized people as "the other" in conversation is such a moot point if not dangerous distraction.
"I want what you want. I want to be left alone. [... I want to] ARRIVE AT MY OWN MATURITY IN MY OWN WAY IN PEACE. I don't want to be defined by you."
This is so moving and so pertinent today...which is so sad.
Time is telling...we will live together or we will perish
It sunk in...
@@averytijerina3425
Truly absurd. People are perishing BECAUSE they are living together!
"You will listen or you will perish." 'Nuff said.
No actually, I think the entire message is necessary for the context of what he means. I see a lot of people latching onto that one line, as if they've forgotten the rest. He's not saying "we'll make you perish if you don't listen" as some of the commenters here seem to think, he's saying if we don't learn to unify and live in harmony with one another, we're all screwed.
@@realCharAznable thanks for the correct interpretation. What you point out is clearly what he meant. Any other "translation" is wishful ignorance by those here who l suspect are typically non readers largely unfamiliar with Baldwin's body of work.
NO ONE will ever or should ever be intimidated by Baldwin's insightful writings or speeches. But hopefully they will be enlightened....and motivated.
Oh how we need more spokepersons like him for the black community today.
Thank you for posting this video. I wrote my dissertation on Mr. Baldwin and was blessed to have had a class with him in college. He was inherently intelligent and, despite being the oldest of 9 children, dared to be an artist in a country that often denied his humanity. It is telling that he had to leave the US to be the writer that he knew he could be. Baldwin was a preacher from the age of 14 to 17 and, although he left the church, he never stopped preaching. We all need James Baldwin like we need air. Please read his novels, plays, and essays. Spread the word.
“I simply want to be able to raise my children in peace.”
“This country is mine too, I’ve paid just as much for it as u.”
Almost 50 years and this message still needs to be heard
"I've paid just as much for it as you"...
An overwhelming large number of Trumpers are Trumpers because they vehemently disagree with that statement.
James Baldwin , like Malcolm x once said I’ll tell it is, but can you take it like it is
Unfortunately; the thing we are is what we struggle with the most. Acting in a manner characterized by tenderness and compassion for people and animals. Thank you all and stay strong.
Sounds like yesterday in Minnesota
“You will listen or you will perish.”
Am I the only one who woke up this morning and has been binging on James Baldwin and 1960’s civil rights activists.
We must no longer consent to this form of Government on behalf of our children and future generations. Otherwise, we are doomed.
Oh yeah no doubt
Baldwin always spoke truth to power, and that is why his words are timeless.
your channel is fantastic. thanks for finding all these old clips and sharing them with us.
James Baldwin was a great American writer & orator. A clear thinking & erudite man.
Wow David. You do not know how much this particular clip means to me. I'd never seen it & shared it on my FB. I shared your statement & Patreon link too. I knew of James Baldwin as a poet & writer through civil rights march friends but I never really had an idea of what an amazing person he was until Jimmy came to Hampshire College as a visiting prof. I never took a class with him, but he came to every gig I sang, was super-supportive, suggested songs for me & what a great gift & honor to have been able to call him both mentor & friend. & to think some of the commenter here STILL did not get ANY info on him as they were growing up in school... Thanks for what you do.
Thank God you use FB for good. So many don't. Because increasingly Zuckerburg and Trump have been chumming it up. Use the system! God Bless!
Hands down the greatest intellectual this country has produced. Thank you James Baldwin for always speaking truth to power.
We are starving for leadership and truth. Not virtue signaling.
We have been saying this very same thing for generations. The words don’t matter if the ears don’t work.
DABIGDAWG001 The ears work. The minds of racists don’t work.
Baldwin knew his blackness trumped everything. We need him.
@ probably referring to the fact that he was gay
@ It means the most consequential aspect of his life was his blackness which was obviously more apparent to the casual observer than his sexuality.
Impeccable and succinct. ✊🏽
Baldwin always stuns me and stills the water of my mind.
He is what I call a RA--a righteous agent. You know them when you see them. He is exceptionally fierce at blasting through any abusive armor you have orbiting your vessel, the beliefs that block light and wither your heart, making them identifiable and shamefully transparent should you choose to not remove them. No amount of racist indoctrination can withstand it, it just chooses to scurry deeper into fear, afraid to be held
be tight to each other, protect the little things, and make dumb faces at yourself in the mirror
So well spoken. A true Statesman. So relevant today.
What an absolute Titan of a human.
Titan...couldn't think of the right word. Gracias
We are all equal PERIOD and we must treat each other with the same respect and dignity we ourselves would expect and hope for. And anyone who defies that, especially in a violent way should suffer a huge penalty for it. PERIOD. All people in this world are equal, no matter your color, sexual orientation, culture, whatever. We are all equal. James Baldwin is such an inspiration for PEACE..
This is so HONEST!!!
Wish I was alive to hear you James. Thanks for your contribution. Still the same feelings today.
Yet another reason your archiving (and that of countless others) is so damn important: Context. Where do we fit in the great, grand, and oftentimes overwhelming Scheme Of Things.
History is like a spiral, my favorite shape. Moving forward, but with a repetition of events as seen countless times before. It's only the illusion of the change of contemporary details that keeps us from seeing that there is nothing new under the sun.
James said it best...right here. Thanks again for all your hard work, David.
Thank you for these useful and helpful and provocative posts. Amen!
These videos are amazing David Hoffman.
Thanks for the illumination.
Read him in school over 40 years ago and his words ring just as true today. Brilliant man.
“You can’t go back to Poland or England and I can’t go back to Africa”
We are in it together.
Sista, Mr. Baldwin may have been correct in 1968, but the Year of Return is upon us in 2020. You can repatriate back to Africa if you so desire. Ghana and many of the other 53 African countries are welcoming us back to Africa.
MrTru2it bro stop it we don’t know shit about Africa.
@@saints0931 You don't want to know shit about Africa and that's that.
Magnificent is the right word to describe Mr. James Baldwin!
This was a slow burn statement, but by the end, flames were lit.
Just discovered James Baldwin... amazing man. Only time will tell... we still, to this day, have not listened... maybe now!? I certainly hope so... otherwise we will perish.
WORD. Thank You.
James Baldwin 👍👍👍 absolutely one of America’s Best
JU TI CUMBUKA....at left shoulder sitting down in the black jacket..YALL YOUNGINS GET HIS BOOK ..VERY SERIOUS BROTHER..VERY
I love curious and intellectual people so much. Be curious, speak out, be interested and keep on learning. RIP James Baldwin.
That was actor Ji-Tu Cumbuka sitting in the background.
Ohhhhhhh right I was trying to figure out who he was. Big Skillet and old unfortunate snaggle tooth from Harlem Nights.
I wish I could see this without the suggested videos blocking out the video for the last 20 seconds... That's the best part of this clip.
There's s should be plastered all over UA-cam's front page!
Well its intelligent. So it will never trend.
I wish I could have been exposed to the writings, and teachings, of this brilliant man when I was in school. Oh but what a wonderful joy it is to finally be introduced to him know, even as a 50 year old man.
Peace. Is it such an out of reach thing that no one can gain it?
Yes
What a great man. I wish I could’ve meet him or at least heard him speak live.
Damn I'm late on Baldwin! And his writings have been around me all of my life, even as a child. That's why it's CRUCIAL for "us" to gather our history. Global and domestic...
Same. I feel robbed lol
You are not to late, you're right on time! The message is the same.
That's why ppl like him are never taught in schools.
@@peaceinthemidst2814 yes it should be a great part of the curriculum K thur 12
It a crying shame that every single one of his words still has a place to this day.
“European”. A word not associated enough with White Americans.
Funny how we've been taught to just call them "Americans"
Excuse me but Americans ard not Europeans.
The difference in social organisation, political preferences and culture are just HUGE.
@@stellai06 With that explanation you could also say Black Americans are not Africans.
ignatius maziofa Black Americans have been present in North America for as long as white Americans have. No one can “go home” because there is nowhere to go home to anymore.
@@ignatiusmaziofa2393 of course.
"We will live here together or we will die here together." Very well said.
GENIUS.
His message so relevant today!
2:47 Bomb shell to some...
No one's forced to live their life any more than I'm forced to live mine, today. I believe this man and support the spirit of what he said.
And not a damn thing has changed for the better...
It's a shame i was 16 years old at that time and I'm now 67 yrsold soon to 68 and never heared of this case,its sad that this story was never highlighted or publicized.,knowledge is power .
Buckley didn't stand a chance.
Buckley is a paper thin facsimile of an intellectual.
I remember reading James Baldwin in college. His work cut deep. It was profound and authentic. Haunting. This man truly understood the suffering that people of color have experienced.
@davidhoffman did you film this?
I did not. But I did film other parts of this documentary.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
"Ignorance allied with power is the greatest enemy justice can have" This man is an intellectual hero
It's time to hit back. Martin's method bought time. They can't exterminate us anymore. It's time to implement Malcolm's method
Rise up brothers and sisters of the revolution. the time is now, fight your opressors. When they try to kill your comrades, don't stand back, fight till the last of us is dead. They really can't stop us all
Bladwin would kick you in the mouth...you dont even know history. Malcolm renounced the Nation and violence after he travelled to Mecca. Lose your ignorance, fool.
@ Malcolm X never renounced violence. He always, up to his death, rejected nonviolence. He believed in self defense, in gaining equality and justice by any means necessary. You're the fool, bootlicker.
The Mecca pilgrimage changed his views on race.
He left the Nation of Islam before then, and after travelling to Africa had renounced them.
“Their sincere submission to the Oneness of God, and their true acceptance of all nonwhites as equals makes the so‐called 'whites' also acceptable as equals into the brotherhood of Islam with the 'nonwhites'. Color ceases to be a determining factor of a man's worth or value once he becomes a Muslim. I hope I am making this part very clear, because it is now very clear to me.
“If white Americans would accept the religion of Islam, if they would accept the Oneness of God (Allah), then they could also sincerely accept the Oneness of Man, and they would cease to measure others always in terms of their 'differences in color'.”
He kept guns in his house up until his assassination and had taught his wife how to use them. The famous picture of him with a gun at a window was taken the same year as the pilgrimage.
@@MikkiManson13 so which is it then? Colorblind? Or no? If its so clear to you, why the need to call me bootlicker? Youre right...J Brown did nothing wrong. Are you saying we still live in the world of John Brown? Or Malcolm, Baldwin and MLK?
@ Baldwin loved Malcolm. He saw Malcolm as a man of undeniable truth and "a genuine revolutionary...In some church someday, so far unimagined and unimaginable, he will be hailed as a saint"
I met him in San Juan xx so elocuent I have read all his writings what a great mind.
WTF does this video have Trump ads on it!!!!!
When that happens on a video I support, I turn the volume down & let it play. Then Dolt45 pays $ for this video. 😉
@@Jolinda11 great way to think about it!
Powerful still December 2021. ✌🙏❤
I wish Colin Kaepernick, 2pac had met this man.
They would have called him a "Tom."
@@SouLoveReal James Baldwin was not a Tom. Absolutely not.
Magnificent indeed! Thank you so much for sharing!
He reminds me of a black Alan Watts.
David, Terrific work, bringing to the public attention such treasures as this!
Now in 2018 this guy would be shaking his head at the black culture of today.
Chicken Little blacks have made a ton of progress between 1968 and now. The same shit that the media is saying about black culture today is the same shit the media said in his day.
Chicken Little fortunately the outliers you speak of are a minority in the black community. There seems to be an obvious disconnect with the media and mean of the black family structure.
What the fuck does ‘black culture’ mean? Black people are as diverse in thought and lifestyle as white people. Do we say ‘white culture’? No, because the term is almost meaningless. Let black people be individual and undefined by some poorly thought out phrase
Wise words are timeless. Thanks for posting! What awesome thing to come in my feed today.