On Responsibility and Reality

James Baldwin was born in the early 1920’s in New York City, lived the Civil War Movement and the Harlem Renaissance. By the time of his death he left behind rich collection of notable and provocative works. Many of his writings discussed things people didn’t normally talk about. The circumstances in which he lived influenced many of his writings. Words of a Native Son and A Talk to Teachers are quintessential examples that illustrate Baldwin feelings about New York City and writing. Through these writings he illustrates the invisibility of Harlem in New York City and the danger and need for writing. Despite the fact that writing posed a threat to him while growing up in New York City and during the Civil Rights Movement he wrote because it was his responsibility; a responsibility that we all as American individuals have, whether or not we cared.

There is an invisible line between Harlem and New York City. Ever noticed that maps sold in chain stores show everything below 110^th St, excluding one third of New York City. A little above this excluded section was Harlem and which still stands Harlem. Baldwin shows that there is a social difference between Harlem and New York. In his essay A Talk to Teachers he described New York City and Harlem as if they are different worlds in different locations; New York City looks rich, there are doormen, Tiffany’s. Harlem on the other hand breathes a stench of ghetto; pimps, undesirable neighborhoods, whores, junkies. There is an underlying intention for Baldwin’s use of contrast between Harlem and the rest of New York City; there is a state of invisibility and a state of indifference towards Harlem. New York City and Harlem show a perfect contrast between what he calls respectively a “white world” and “Harlem”.

To my understanding Baldwin expressed his idea that nobody cared for Harlem. He uses the example of the funeral of a young black boy. Uncaring people would find nothing strange about this---is just a black boy. If it were the funeral young white boy a sense of concern would be expressed. After reading the essay Words of a Native Son, I thought to myself that many things have not change in Harlem up to this date. Many times the arrest of a black person brings no attention, while the arrest of a white person in Harlem arouses the attention of those around. The problem lies in the apathy towards people, different people. Baldwin suggests that this problem needs to be addressed and dealt with. Is not that simple because many people still don’t realize there is a problem, thus Americans citizens need to be informed through the writings and teachings of others.

Writing and teaching are two dangerous crafts. During times of suppression these are two of the first things to be suppressed. In Words of a Native Son, Baldwin wrote, “I’m involved in something dangerous…it’s always dangerous for a writer to talk about his work.” (Baldwin, Words of a Native Son, page 395) Baldwin was right, he was doing something dangerous; writing during the Civil Rights Movement. The Civil Rights Movement influenced the many of Baldwin’s writings. The goal of the movement was to make changes. Many people are afraid of change, because there could be a loss of power over money, things, and power over other people. They have feelings and needs that needed to be addressed. The movement was simply a threat for people that tried to suppress it. The Civil Rights Movement was to meant to empower African-Americans.

Baldwin addressed the problems of the contemporary society at that time. His writings supported the movement. Anybody that dares to support any kind of social movement that addresses a need for change, is prone to violence and suppression. Regardless of the danger that turbulent times pose Baldwin expresses that somebody we as individuals have to do make the necessary changes to uphold our image and value of an equal American nation.

In Words from a Native Son, Baldwin stated, “there is no such thing as a Negro problem…we could save this country…the world…the dead boy is my subject..my responsibility. And your.” (Baldwin, Words of a Native Son, page 401). Baldwin’s statement does not imply that we need to have compassion towards this boy. In this statement Baldwin implied that we as an individual have a duty to each other and we as American individuals have a duty to this nation. This duty is not compassion, but responsibility. It is our responsibility to be concerned about this boy’s death, regardless where he comes from, his age, his ethnicity. Why this responsibility? Because we all have feelings, we are all human. Whether or not we want to see that we each have feelings. To my understanding Baldwin placed the funeral for a reason beyond understanding the cold attitude towards blacks. He was at the same time testing the reader. The retelling of the boy’s funeral had a lasting impression, because it is more that a story, is a test. Some readers would read about the funeral of the black boy and not stop to think about what cause the death of this young black boy. A reader’s real attitude towards the reading material would be expressed though their concern and lack of concern---a lack of responsibility.

As a society we already have this responsibility. Baldwin persistence in writing is his way to try to make the reader see that there is a need change. He stated in A Talk to Teachers, “the obligation of anyone who thinks of himself as responsible is to examine society and try to change it and fight. No matter what the risk is.” (page 326). There are times when we believe that some things are wrong and do nothing to reform or make changes. Why should we care anyways? Because individuals really little about what they think is right. The reality of this rightness lies in their eyes only. For actions to be truth must be constant with all beliefs and individuals. Baldwin feels that the truth writings are there for a reason, that is, to expose reality as it is.

In Words of a Native Son Baldwin discussed the difference between a book and a ply. The two are metaphors that have deeper meanings. A play mocks the storyline on the book. There are many things that a play can’t show. These real things are emotions, the stuff that we are made of. The real emotions, concerns, and thoughts of a character can’t be seen in a play. On the other hand, a book shows reality and tells reality as it is. A play can’t show the full reality. Baldwin wrote, “deeper than conscious or speech can go…there is a passion which created the table…the things people really feel are almost impossible for them to describe…these things control them and that is where the reality is…What one tries to do in a novel is show this reality.” Both the play and book are written with passion. Only the book can tell reality. The passion can be a false bravado, but there is no way to tell, because viewers are unable to read the mind of the characters.

Thus, the book will tell and show reality.

Reality can’t be simply told to another individual. Reality needs to be illustrated to make the reader grasp the situation. That was the job of Baldwin and still the job of all teachers and writers, and each one of us. The only reality I can gather from Baldwin’s essays Words of a Native Son and A Talk to Teacher, is that we individual have a responsibility to each other and to make a better world for each other.