In James Baldwin’s “The Fire Next Time,” Baldwin scrutinizes American society and deteriorating race relations. He implores a new level of communication and understanding between black and white Americans. In his two essays, Baldwin discusses his experience as an African American and how Christianity has led to oppression of differing people. Collectively, Baldwin illustrates an alternative way for his nephew, moreover the black community, to address their anger and outrage with white Americans. Baldwin’s writing inspired many people facing the “Negro Problem” to rethink the relationship with their white counterparts. Today, reading Baldwin’s carefully crafted work still helps Americans broaden their perspective. Aspects of Baldwin’s writing
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In the documentary Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes, filmmaker Byron Hurt explains the truth behind hip-hops lyrics. Hurt claims that white supremacy controls the radio/record companies and they are only willing to “let a certain blackness flow through this space” (Hurt 44:50). By saying this, Hurt declares that the white supremacists control the lyrics that are released to Americans. Thus, these companies are able to shape and manipulate what Americans hear. Record labels have used their influence to depict scary black ghettos and instill fear through the music released. This negative vision of black people instates a sense of white triumph. The music has also effectively encouraged ghetto communities to remain the way they …show more content…
Baldwin reveals when he was “told to love everybody…it only applied to those who believed as [he] did, and it did not apply to white people at all” (40). With this, Baldwin expresses concern with the practices of the church. With this foundation, the church discouraged new followers and spread hate, rather than love through America. Baldwin accuses the church for effectively spreading this narrow minded thinking to all in its following. Baldwin states “If the concept of God has any validity or any use, it can only be to make us larger, freer, and more loving. If God cannot do this, then it is time we got rid of him” (47). Baldwin suggests America step away from Christian practices if it were to unite everyone
In the documentary Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes, filmmaker Byron Hurt explains the truth behind hip-hops lyrics. Hurt claims that white supremacy controls the radio/record companies and they are only willing to “let a certain blackness flow through this space” (Hurt 44:50). By saying this, Hurt declares that the white supremacists control the lyrics that are released to Americans. Thus, these companies are able to shape and manipulate what Americans hear. Record labels have used their influence to depict scary black ghettos and instill fear through the music released. This negative vision of black people instates a sense of white triumph. The music has also effectively encouraged ghetto communities to remain the way they …show more content…
Baldwin reveals when he was “told to love everybody…it only applied to those who believed as [he] did, and it did not apply to white people at all” (40). With this, Baldwin expresses concern with the practices of the church. With this foundation, the church discouraged new followers and spread hate, rather than love through America. Baldwin accuses the church for effectively spreading this narrow minded thinking to all in its following. Baldwin states “If the concept of God has any validity or any use, it can only be to make us larger, freer, and more loving. If God cannot do this, then it is time we got rid of him” (47). Baldwin suggests America step away from Christian practices if it were to unite everyone