James Baldwin: African-American Writer and Activist

Journey to Freedom: The African American Library

by Deborah Cannarella

Introduction to the life and accomplishments of famed African-American writer and essayist, James Baldwin.

40 pages, Library Binding

First published August 1, 2003

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great primer to the life of James Baldwin. This would be perfect for a student doing a research paper to understand more about African-American history and the Civil Rights movement. I didn't know it was Baldwin who called on Robert Kennedy, who was the Attorney General at the time, to send in troops to stop the local police and fire fighters from spraying the peaceful Children's Crusade march in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963. Baldwin's photograph of the assault on the marchers made the cover of Time magazine. The book briefly addresses Baldwin coming to terms with being homosexual and his finding more acceptance in France and Switzerland. The book also speaks of his friendship with Rev. Martin Luther King, jr. and speaking to children who had won integration into an all-white high school in Charlotte, North Carolina. Also, talked about his meeting with Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammad, and Medgar Evers. There is a wealth of information in this short book.