Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by James A. Baldwin

Quote by James A. Baldwin

“The making of an American begins at the point where he himself rejects all other ties, any other history, and himself adopts the vesture of his adopted land.”

Quote by James A. Baldwin

Create image

Author

James A. Baldwin
James A. Baldwin

James A. Baldwin was an American novelist, essayist, and playwright. His works explored themes of race, gender, sexuality, and the class structure of American society. Baldwin is known for his profound social criticism and insight into the human condition. more

You May Also Like

“Any honest examination of the national life proves how far we are from the standard of human freedom with which we began. The recovery of this standard demands of everyone who loves this country a hard look at himself, for the greatest achievements must begin somewhere, and they always begin with the person.”

HumansLooksPersonsCountryHardCultureJusticeHonestDemandProveAchievementDiversityStandardsSocial JusticeRecoveryExaminationHuman FreedomGreatest Achievement
Author:James A. Baldwin
Create image

“What passes for identity in America is a series of myths about one's heroic ancestors. It's astounding to me, for example, that so many people really appear to believe that the country was founded by a band of heroes who wanted to be free. That happens not to be true. What happened was that some people left Europe because they couldn't stay there any longer and had to go somewhere else to make it. That's all. They were hungry, they were poor, they were convicts. Those who were making it in England, for example, did not get on the Mayflower. That's how the country was settled.”

PeopleBelieveCountryHappensWantedAmericaCultureLeftJusticePoorHappenedExampleIdentityHeroBandDiversityEuropeEnglandSocial JusticeSeriesMythHungryBeing TrueHeroicAncestorSomewhere ElseConvictsMayflower
Author:James A. Baldwin
Create image

“The miracle is that some have stepped out of the rags of the Republic's definition to assume the great burden and glory of their humanity and their responsibility for one another. It is an extraordinary achievement to be trapped in the dungeon of color and to dare to shake down its walls and to step out of it leaving the jailkeeper in the rubble.”

HumanityCultureJusticeResponsibilityStepsColorWallAchievementDiversityGloryMiracleSocial JusticeAssumingExtraordinaryLeavingDefinitionsDareBurdenShakesRepublicTrappedRagsDungeonsRubbleExtraordinary Achievement
Author:James A. Baldwin
Create image