A quick post for now (just because I'm tired of hearing about the wondrousness of it all today). My sister, seven years older than me and eight years older than my brother, took us to see the "Sound of Music" here in Charleston when it debuted at the Riviera Theatre. We had to sit upstairs, in the balcony -- cuz that's where the "Coloreds" had to sit. I'm 58 years old now, and seems I'll never forget, nor "get over" that memory. It's important I never do...
7 comments:
Summed up neatly and to the point!
BTW: Sis Deb, thanks for posting the James Baldwin debate with William Buckley. It brings to mind a quote by Mr. Baldwin..."I can't afford to despair". hmm...
Thanks Sis Carolyn. Hope you're well.
All the brouhaha about its 50th anniversary just annoyed me. White supremacy has a way of marginalizing its foot-on-neck behavior with lily white "celebrations" I felt the same way when CSPAN celebrated the anniversary of "Birth of a Nation" during Black History Month this year. {smdh}
I love that debate! They obviously had more respect for Baldwin's take on America than Buckley's and rightfully so! That quote from Baldwin is dead-on and a great kick in the behind for me cuz lately, I've been doing just that for a lot of reasons. Been working on a post about it all for a while now but I'm thinking I'll finish it real soon! 😊
Take care Sister-friend -- and stay tuned!
I'm looking forward to it!
BTW: The audience stood and clap for an extended period. Buckley received an applause but not a standing ovation like Mr. Baldwin. I miss that man and although there were some issues that I didn't totally agree with him on; one of them being his dismissive and hurtful remarks about Langston Hughes; he would have invited me to the infamous 'Welcome table'. He was a giant of an intellectual and his hubris would not have been intimidated by my views and I would be enthralled with his arguments and thrilled if he would concede to some of mine. Have mercy! :-)
I have all his works and two of the best biographies on him. I also hope he reincarnated; we need his voice. :-)
" Have mercy!" is RIGHT Sis Carolyn!
I miss him too. IMHO, his and Langston's differences were more generational than purposely dismissive or hurtful, though they did, in fact, seem to manifest themselves in those ways (kinda like when my oldest and I used to have these "respectability politics" conversations in the early days of his life -- before I woke the hell up!). That said though, they were BOTH huge beacons of light for our people.
Like you, I'm certain were he here today -- I'd be sitting right there with you at our own version of that infamous 'Welcome Table'!! I have been forever grateful to Mrs. Alfreda Jenkins, my high school English & French teacher, for introducing me to Mr. Baldwin (as well as Langston Hughes, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Lorraine Hansberry, James Weldon Johnson, etc., etc.). She showed us our own experiences and voices on the written page, making clear to us the value of both in a world that didn't value either.
I have all his works as well, more than one copy of most of them! I bought the paperbacks first, then later either invested in, or received as gifts from the husband, the hardcovers (hope to share them with some young folk here at home soon).
"I also hope he reincarnated; we need his voice."
You and me both, because we sure do need him!!! I do, however, find shades of Baldwin in young Mychael Denzel Smith over at The Nation Magazine (which published plenty of Baldwin back in the day) -- maybe he's the reincarnation! 😀 Check him out sometime and let me know what you think.
Hey Deb, I'm quite familiar with Mychael Smith, his writings and participation on various media panels. I'm impressed with this young man especially his coverage of the Ferguson resistance and his courageous viewpoints.
Regarding the Baldwin reincarnation...you may very well have a point! Just read his article on the interview with Alicia Garza, co-founder of Black Lives Matter on The Nation site. Talk about like minds, she was featured several weeks ago on My Website of the Week. Passing the baton is what this is all about and there is hope that young folks like him, Alicia and others of that political philosophy have made themselves the vanguard of progressive change in this country. Peace....
Hey Sis...We are of like minds as well! It's like "I thought you right up!" as my grandmother used to say because -- when you posted your comment, I was up reading that very piece, trying to fit it into yet another draft I'm working on about these wonderful young folk!! (Yes, I've been quite scatterbrained here lately!)
I'd been trying to explain how monumental this young movement is to my brother (a year younger than me) since I've been here, but he still doesn't believe they can change anything (long, long, long story there!).
I, on the other hand, am delighted! And having been in the midst of our young folk in Jena, seeing their passion firsthand -- I wholeheartedly believe as you said, "the baton has been passed" into more than able hands!
Peace...
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