The two men had already read the young writer’s work, including “The Harlem Ghetto,” which he had just published in the prestigious monthly political journal Commentary. As he flew over Paris, he looked out over the city and was sure he was going to be “dashed to death on the vindictive tooth of the Eiffel Tower.” When he arrived he was met by Themistocles Hoetis and Asa Benveniste, the founders of Zero, an avant-garde Franco-American journal specialized in literary reviews.
He knew his mentor – African-American writer Richard Wright – was living a peaceful life there.īaldwin boarded the plane on November 11, 1948, leaving the United States with just 40 dollars in his pocket. “I knew what was going to happen to me, I’d kill or be killed… I left because I didn’t think I could survive the race problems.” The young man thought about where he could go, and finally decided on Paris. All of society has decided to transform you into nothing.” Baldwin wanted to leave. You become sloppy, that’s when you start to slip. “Chewed up by the city,” Baldwin said, and “chewed up” by the impossibility of being Black in the city. His best friend committed suicide by throwing himself off the George Washington Bridge. Some months later, another dramatic event once again enraged the young man. He was quickly surrounded by a group of men, but managed to fight them off before running away. The pair decided to go and have dinner after the showing, but were aggressively refused entry at two restaurants, whose owners spat: “We don’t serve Blacks here.” An angry Baldwin threw a glass of water in a waitress’ face.
James baldwin movie#
One evening, Baldwin had been to see a movie with a friend in Trenton. Everything began in New Jersey when James Baldwin was 22.
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