Artist. Public intellectual. Political activist. James Baldwin was all of these and more. Raised in the slums of Depression-era Harlem in New York City, Baldwin would become an author and activist of international renown\u2014one whose legacy has continued long beyond his death in 1987. Who was James Baldwin? How did he become the master of multiple literary genres and a champion for some of the era\u2019s most notable political and social causes? And how is his influence still being felt today?<\/p>\n
Explore these questions and more in the six lectures of\u00a0James Baldwin: The Man and His Work<\/i>, taught by Rafael Walker of Baruch College, City University of New York. As you explore Baldwin\u2019s life, from his childhood to his international writing career to his work as a public voice for the marginalized all over the world, you will understand how he became one of the 20th century\u2019s most influential Black writers and intellectuals. You\u2019ll also examine many of his most famous works, including the novels\u00a0Go Tell It on The Mountain<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0Giovanni\u2019s Room<\/i>, his powerful essays, and his short stories \u201cSonny\u2019s Blues\u201d and \u201cGoing to Meet the Man.\u201d As you experience these complex and deeply personal pieces of writing, you\u2019ll see how Baldwin\u2019s life and work were inseparable, with his brilliant works drawing from his experiences both in America and abroad.<\/p>\n
Near the end of his life, Baldwin\u2019s influence seemed to be waning. But as you\u2019ll see, the startling clarity and power of his words were never truly forgotten. Today his writings serve as a model for a new generation of authors, challenging readers to reflect on the injustices around them and inspiring activists in the Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ, and other social movements. With his legacy reignited for the 21st century, you now have the chance to discover why James Baldwin\u2019s impact as both a writer and a vocal force for change is still profoundly relevant.<\/p>\n