James Baldwin

Chapters:

27. The Sixties

National Organization for Women, “Statement of Purpose” (1966)

The Atlantic- article name:
How White Backlash Controls American Progress
Note: Module 5 continues the theme of Civil Rights into the tumultuous Sixties. The Black Freedom Struggle was the original and definitive event of the decade. It inspired the movements for Women’s Rights (led by organizations such as NOW – National Organization for Women), for labor organizing among Hispanic and Asian farmworkers in California (led by César Chávez), and other reform movements. The Civil Rights Revolution did produce spectacular change – most notably the destruction of the Jim Crow system in the South (brought about the passage and enforcement of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965) – but it raised hopes and expectations for broader social and economic change that were not realized during the Sixties or later. The unfinished business of the decade continues to shape American life today.

Short Essay on Civil Rights in the 1960s
Watch the documentary film on James Baldwin in Module 5 after having read my guidance notes, the textbook chapter and the essay by Glickman.
After viewing the film, in 3-to-4 pages (double spaced), respond to the following:
In the film, Baldwin states, “Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.” What were the most important things Baldwin showed about racism in America?
In answering the question, you have a lot of options. You can focus on certain aspects of Baldwin’s thought more than others, so long as you explain why you have chosen them. For example, you might emphasize his discussion of the cultural roots of racism (its role in classic Hollywood films, for instance). Or, you might stress his discussion of the killing of his friends, the Black Freedom leaders Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Medgar Evers (which was the theme of the book Baldwin intended to write).
There are additional options. Your choices will reflect your judgment of which of his views are most persuasive or useful. Whichever you choose, explain clearly and give specific examples from the film. You do not need to provide any formal citations but do use quotation marks if you give an exact quote (and make clear who was speaking).
The essay will be primarily assessed for the clarity of your argument and effective use of evidence. You do not need to cite or discuss material from the course readings or outside sources, though you may briefly do so if you think it significantly helps. You do not need to discuss any information about the film that is learned from outside sources, only things that are shown or stated within the film itself (for example, this essay does not need references to the critical acclaim the movie has received, or information about the director or narrator, background on Baldwin not included in the film, etc.).
Use normal sized font (12 pt), double-spacing, correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and usage. Above all, do your own work. Any unacknowledged borrowing or copying from other students or anything online is unacceptable.
The essay is worth 20% of your semester grade. When you are ready to submit it, use the Assignment dropbox in Assessments.

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