James Baldwin and Me(c)
Baldwin for me is my icon muse, the thoughts that flow from his writings are breathtaking as well as brilliant in the context of being Black in America.
I often feel I am in surreal racial bubble , when in fact none of life in racial bubbles for Black folks is new at all .
Life in the 50’s was not all that different in many respects for Black Folks than this current Era in some respects on a variety of issues and concerns
The current interactions with America and ‘Whiteness’ in 2026 is not that transformative on certain issues in our society which is disturbing and Yet not defining nor defeating
I am more in Baldwin’s camp certainly with regards to valuing the full nature of my character rather than just the experiences one has with a society that is inherently adverse to my existence
Black Americans are far more expansive and evolved than just the personas and trauma of having survived slavery , jim crow , and contemporary race issues
Grievance is certainly a critical and functioning aspect of being human.Yet for me now is resistance in many endless iterations is what I have always strived for as an Activist, but I also understand its limitations it can handcuff and handicap your personal development
In my earlier years I defined myself as a Black Activist which spoke to the moment as I got older and evolved , I defined myself as an Activist
Greg Thrasher
Director
Plane Ideas
Alternative Think Tank
USA
