Their words
“We cannot be free until they are free.”
Source: “A Letter to My Nephew”, The Progressive, December 1962
Context In the same centenary letter to his nephew, later the opening of The Fire Next Time, he spoke of white Americans still trapped in a history they did not understand.
Pick the card background
More words from James Baldwin
“Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
James Baldwin United States♥ 0
“People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them.”
James Baldwin United States♥ 0
“Great men have done great things here and will again and we can make America what America must become.”
James Baldwin United States♥ 0
“Love takes off the masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within.”
James Baldwin United States♥ 0
“Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor.”
James Baldwin United States♥ 0
“It comes as a great shock around the age of 5, 6, or 7 to discover that the flag to which you have pledged allegiance, along with everybody else, has not pledged allegiance to you.”
James Baldwin United States♥ 0
More words from Culture & Ideas
“Emotion is African, as reason is Hellenic.”
Léopold Sédar Senghor Senegal♥ 0
“With my music I create a change. I see it. So really I am using my music as a weapon.”
Fela Kuti Nigeria♥ 0
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
Desmond Tutu South Africa♥ 0
Membership
Become a member. It's free.
Members get our weekly briefing on the leaders and forces shaping Africa and its diaspora, and unlock every game on the Play page.
Already a member? Log in