Master Baldwin remains my all-time favorite literary artist. He was an extremely articulate and intelligent black man who recognized very early that his writings would baffle professors for decades to come as they aspire to disect his canniness and ability to so eloquently turn their outter selves through his writings, into small-minded people convinced that true literary talent lies in their own race and no other is smart enough to see through the looking glass which reflects but a person -- not color.
When I wrote this review in 1994, I had no idea how powerful it would become in my spirit. Today, I pause to think about the rage that roared quietly, yet thunderously in the heart of this brilliant black man.
I am also reflecting on Sir Langston Hughes and his letters that are so very insightful of the passion to advance humanity by maximizing his talent in the literary world despite oppression. In the book, "Remember Me To Harlem: The Letters of Langston Hughes and Carl Van Vechten, 1925 - 1964," by Emily Bernard, I discovered that truth lies in the space in between the words moreso than the word themselves. I see this as a symbiotic relationship between Sir Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston as they communicated back and forth. They allowed space for a race of people to advance.
So, as I bring the Fire forth from the legacy of James Baldwin, I believe that it is possible for millions of African-Americans who cannot afford quality healthcare and vulnerable populations who are either denied quality healthcare, a quality of life, and similarly oppressed, to stand firm on the passage of healthcare reform. Millions, millions of people are incarcerated or otherwise held hostage in the mind when quality healthcare is denied.
As writers or whatever our vocation, we have the same problem that James Baldwin and Langston Hughes had with prejudices and racism. The difference today is that we have the advanced power to change.
So we can write the best novel and smile because we accomplished something great in our personal endeavors, but when we close the book and go home to pain, poverty, disease, and unnecessary deaths, what have we accomplished for our race? Within this race, is our future.
Keep healthcare reform in the forefront because it is covenant that if we do not get it right, the Fire .
Passing the peace,
Apostle Agnes B. Levine
Founder/President of Levine-Oliver Publisher,
Author of "Cooling Well Water: A Collection of Work By An African-American Bipolar Woman" ISBN 13-978-0-9754612-0-4
Levine-Oliver Publisher is the Exclusive publishing home of Swaggie's Voice. Visit Swaggie's Voice at
http://swaggiecoleman.blogspot.com
Posted By: agnes levine
Friday, March 12th 2010 at 6:42AM
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