James Baldwin on Malcolm X (2 of 3)

[1awareness]

......

[eltoro145383]

Utterly, awesome dialog! Filled with full truths, and true reality. You must study the past, it should help you in the future.

Sir Robert Allen

[Maxantium]

Black people will never get it nor will they succeed until they come together financially and socially as one, without doing just that these so called "Morally White" will never grow a conscience fast enough to change their own blight-full thinking because they continue to believe the plight of others doesn't affect them. But one thing i know history has shown us is that life is a cycle and Karma do go along with it. Today may be your day but tomorrow may be mine. Here today gone tomorrow !

[futuristfood]

brilliance

[jejimypr]

In the days when smoking was cool and people weren't afraid of lung cancer.

[PowShredder801]

I DESPISE how ignorant this nation is. Society projects the statement that racism is a pastence problem. Yet, i see it daily through other actions other than verbal..

The vast majority of people would rather listen to a comedian, than an amazing informational/Insporational speaker like J.B.....Racism and blastphemy is the presedent of todays corruption, and is yet seen to this day...

James Baldwin is my favorite author/speaker. And is truely an insporation to this world.

P.S. I'm caucasian.

[juicearibe]

What a good looking brother.

[MrCaplocked]

MOO-SOCK-KEY LAND IS WEALTHY

[Mistersweaty2]

This was done in the 1960s before color TV. In 2010 there is satellite TV in color but the more things change, the more they stay the same.

[mkeym]

Thank you SO much for posting!

[jjooeemmaann]

1:56-2:03 has got to be the best way to identify how ppl of all races between the ages of 25-35 feel about the current globlization of world governments

[SandCmpbll]

@jjooeemmaann It's not about a certain "age." It's everyone.

[jhop9898]

20 million in the US? try 200 million

[PoliticalPars]

@jhop9898 20m (Negroes) is what Mr. Baldwin was referring to, not the population of the country. I believe it is much higher today, approx. 15%.

[jhop9898]

@PoliticalPars Ah ok. Thanks for clarifying.

[carmenlidia13]

This was a very Eloquent speaker, RIP James Baldwin,. Our Youth and people Boricua, Black White or other need to live & learn & read so you don't be read !

[Ethiopiabuzz]

I always wonder if white people have a soul ,i don't think white people have the same heart like the rest of us .i

[BrazJamMenina]

Such a eloquent and pensive man! James had great insight into the problems of black people. I value his contributions and literary works. If only there were more people like him around now. May he rest in peace.

[kuongjah7]

Urban renewal is still going on, you would think we would get it together by now. The man was a very deep thinker.

[MatuArt]

So much Ache'

[wallysblack]

Black people wake up!!

[apex347]

why are there 1 million views for Charlie bit my finger, but only 8,836 views for this. What's wrong with this nation. No one listens to anything important.

[ASBANTICS]

Makes you wonder, right??????

[rottingtreesandgrass]

(about your James Baldwin comment)-- Charlie bit my finger was actually featured on the youtube front page just for its cuteness, so many people ended up watching it and recommecnding it to others. But yes you're right, this is really much more interesting and it lasts longer in an intelligent mind. :-)

[dario2222]

@apex347 Thank you!!!

[Kobe29261]

@apex347 Becos we can't stand the discomfort of reality and brutal truth. We need the numbness induced by comedy. Granted it is intriguing in its own right but the sad part is not that it has more views than this but to me that there is a greater ratio of other races to black which have seen this. The apathy in our black community about our history and struggle is stupendous. Heck, we won't stay in school long enough to learn to read, not just read but to discern what we read....

[smileyisuglyhorse]

@apex347 More people are concerned with foolishness, than substance.

[kweju3]

@apex347 "No one listens to anything important." Benign neglect. Sadder still that those not listening are Black. I'm betting more Whites have given heed. The great tragedy of the Black man in America is having lost his mind and having it reprogrammed to believe he is the beast he often displays to the public. And he will defend that right, defiantly shouting back..."Oh, you tryin' to be White!" Self-perpetuated insanity.

[kaykonigin]

nice touch with the lighting of the cigarette and "I want to get to your point" .

[rofro1010]

antihostile: thanks for putting up all this stuff, its amazing

[kweju3]

Thanks for response. Frankly, I harbor no hostilities. I'm still a realist. The madness taking place since Obama's win (re:conservatives) is rather like seepage of a septic tank. Long fermenting hatreds, loathings and despisements are coming to light on a level I'd never have imagined. I am greatful that fair-minded Whites are seeing the depth of hostilty we've encountered for years. I fear the power and extremes these forces will use to "Preserve America As They See It". What does that mean?

[EyeLean5280]

kwegu3. Yes, these are ugly times and we're seeing the dark, filthy underside of American society bubble up once again. I suppose we'll never be rid of it entirely.

But please don't fear those ignorant people, even with their threats of violence. They lost the civil war. They lost segregation. And if they're foolish enough to start a real insurrection, they'll lose again.

[coleypro]

I never thought of looking for Baldwin on this site. Yes, he would have had very insightful comments to make about the Obama win. For sure, there's no cause to lose our sense of perspective. Most Whites didn't vote for him. Merely a large enough portion that, with the overwhelming support of us "others", he squeaked in. And yes, when you consider the competition...Jimmy would probably conclude, hey, we made it in. Now, it's up to us to make the best of it cause you know somebody is scheming.

[sgninworb]

most white Americans under the age of 30 voted for Obama - I think that's pretty amazing and a cause for hope and a real tribute to all those white americans who voted for him. I think Baldwin would be happy with that. But yes there is still suffering and injustice on racial lines so there's more to be done

[loktkey]

Thank you so much for this.

[sgninworb]

I agree fundamentally with your no nonesense rationalism, but it's nice to imagien. as long as one is aware that that is what they are doing - just imagining. I'm sure even you do that occasionally.

[scj16]

POWERFUL WORDS=POWERFUL MAN.

[EyeLean5280]

Baldwin talks about "negro" teens who didn't believe in America - but they weren't the only ones at the time.

[HappyRoach911]

I wish Malcolm X, James Baldwin, Dr. King, Huey Newton, Fred Hampton, and others were alive today as well. I have a strong feeling they would not be on the Obama bandwagon like many other black "leaders" or the black population who seem to think that Obama is "The One." Many of our true leaders warned black people of symbolic victories, which does mean anything since it is white power with a black face. Obama is not change, his policies and appointments are no different from past presidents.

[ReddzVoice]

That is a completely IGNORANT statement. Since "Black" Americans at large [among other "minority" groups] feel neglected by the Republican Party, it's likely that those figures would be supportive of Obama as well. Stop living in a hypothetical fantasy world; especially since your fantasy has NO basis at all in any kind of reality. At least give Obama the opportunity to succeed or fail before you unwisely assume that failure is inevitable.

[Juniversal]

Agreed ReddzVoice. Not only has America change immensely since then but a potential black Presidency would be inconceivable and considered outlandish. Not only back then but as recent as a decade or two ago.

And i'd imagine those black leaders would see Obama's election in more societal terms then purely politcal terms. Obama's election is a beacon of progress. I think some are already losing grasp of the gravity of what has happened. I don't see the value in bemoaning Obama, esp so early on.

[bigjayboogie]

I think that they would appreciate the fact that there was a choice. The black community is not a monolithic collection of group think. We have political views all across the map...and the fact that we actually had the choice is progress...their ultimate goal was that a black man running for president wouldn't even be a big deal.

Damn baldwin had so much more to say..did you folks read his essay on the atlanta child murders?

[bigjayboogie]

evidence of things not seen. If you are old enough to remember the atlanta child murders that book just shows you how much of a genius he was.

[ivan1087]

On the contrary, I believe that Malcolm X, James Baldwin, Dr. King, Huey Newton, Fred Hampton (etc.) would hold the same as opinion(s) as intellectuals like Cornel West and Manning Marable insist upon, which are: supporting Barack Obama while simultaneously pressuring him towards real change. Unconditional love is unnecessary.

[EyeLean5280]

Yes. And it's exactly how we should ALL handle Obama, whites as well as blacks.

We've all got to stop patting ourselves on the back for electing a black man. His color should be irrelevant and considering how woefully inadequate the opposing ticket was, it's not to America's credit that Obama won with only an 8-point spread.

[ZaleOutlaw]

it's impossible to know how malcolm x, james baldwin, dr. king, huey newton, and fred hampton wtc would have reacted to obama because they are dead, and we can not determine how their views would have developed between 1965 and 2009 if they were alive.

[khadijahanwar]

Not for me because I was alive and lived through the time when tanks rode down my block

[ZaleOutlaw]

yeah but you still cant predict how they would respond politically or intellectually. a black president means nothing in a capitalist society. either you're rich, or poor, and a so-called black president does not change the class system

[lovegrams19]

@ZaleOutlaw Yes if does because historically it use to mean " you are poor because your black'. I'm black and if you came to my house today whether your white or black. You would question how my family has gotten where they are. Racism still exist and we all suffer from it!

[sunvoltage]

@ZaleOutlaw It does, however, make manifest the notion that class system realignment is a possibility. That is the principle basis for the outspoken fear now coming from the right. This is why the Republicans are undergoing a huge thrust to the ultra-right. Because of the long held belief by fundamental religious whites taken from an erroneous interpretation of the Bible that the white race is superior to all others, the Obama presidency is seen as an attack on the established class order.

[EyeLean5280]

Well, perhaps you are right in the cases of Hampton (a Marxist) and Malcom X (a black seperatist).

Baldwin and King, however, I think would have been cautiously optimistic or would at least reserve judgement to see how things went.

[HappyRoach911]

H. Newton was a marxist as well and often mentioned how he had no need for black capitalists. Malcolm X in his NOI days was a separatist. After he left, he evolved in his views of race relations. He still remained extremely critical of Dems & Repubs. As for Dr. King he'd be on Obama's case for his support of the war (well in Afghanistan), FISA amendments, lobbyist support, bailout support, and Obama's constant fence sitting. James Baldwin might have liked Obama in a thong.

[HappyRoach911]

Just joking about Baldwin. He was usually very perspective and on point. He wasn't very easily impressed. He wouldn't be gushing over Obama, Oprah-Style. He would write a thorough essay about Obama-mania and why some black folks think Obama is Black Jesus.

[EyeLean5280]

I'll concede James Baldwin. You are right.

King, I'm not ready to concede yet.

As far as I can see, he was radical only in his ability to bring blacks together in such numbers. I have never read anywhere that he questioned capitalism or even held fiscally liberal views. But if you have, please point me to the source - as someone who's left of liberal myself, I'd be very interested.

Thank you for your replies. It is very rare on YouTube to find comments of the quality you post.

[amd1588]

You should really listen to Martin L. King's speech, "The Drum Major Instinct," in order to hear his denunciation of capitalism. In that speech he spoke of a radically different system, one based perhaps on "democratic socialism." You must remember, by this time King had thoroughly studied Marx and Engels, and had gotten much more politically radical, which is why he was silenced by the corporate media.

[amd1588]

Also one only has to listen to his speech, "Where do We Go from Here ?" To understand his growing Black Nationalist tendencies. One could argue that after the murder of Malcolm, King moved closer to his side; King was NEVER as radical as Malcolm, but certainly different from the image that is misrepresented.

[EyeLean5280]

As to the thong, well, I would imagine almost no one in America who is attracted to men would kick a thong-clad Barack out of bed.

[blk59]

we've come a long way and yet we have a long way to go.I wish malclom ,Mr baldwin and so many others could have made it to this day. I wonder what they would think of America today.

[MC0090]

arguably one of the greatest literary giants the country ever produced