Common reads James Baldwin's incredible letter of advice

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athompson

Joined: Mar 2024
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Common reads James Baldwin's incredible letter of advice


in early 1963, 100 years after Abraham Lincoln called for the release of all Confederate slaves by way of the Emancipation Proclamation, author James Baldwin wrote the following moving letter to his 14-year-old nephew, James, and offered some advice.

Common joined us to read this phenomenal letter at The Town Hall in New York City in May…

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23 Comments

  1. racism is racism, White Black Native or Métis, even in this letter of well meaning.
    those that are out there that poit to a Métis, and call him white , and tell him its white privilege
    that have never seen a Métis, Northern reserve or wonder is to day the day the government comes for my children.
    this is going on NOW.
    and you call Me a white Métis, cree Raciest . you that attacked one of our children
    those of you that call your selves progressive and democrat.
    I see the same people that used a Gatling gun on women and children , Because they were Métis and said No.
    I see them doing it again in Canada and the United states..
    you Left us with One option…
    you do not Follow your Laws.. so we have to Use our Laws..
    Weep..for the dead..the Blood is on you all.
    And In the Mass graves your kind has Left for Us to look for our dead.
    WE WILL NEVER FORGIVE ANY OF YOU no matter what color you are!

  2. An extraordinary narrative, written from a formidable breadth of intelligence and a deep well of love. Common brought his humanity and power to the reading. Thank you Letters Live.

  3. just read the comment, “Wow! This letter should be mailed to everybody in America!”
    𑀡’м sure* the commenter is ⌖ correct ﹡BEFORE﹡𑀡’𝚟e pressed Play on this video—𑀡’𝚟e been clicking every option YouTube provides except play in search of a link providing a downloadable PDF of this letter. When 𑀡 openned YouTube on this occasion the app presented me with a precursor page explaining how tracking me would give me options as to what advertisements it shows to me and maybe the rest of you…🤷🏻‍♂️ 𑀡 understand YouTube is a business and they’ve got a sell, but I’m clicking on this video and I’m opening the app because I’m dying to learn something…so, maybe a link to the letters that are read so I can read it later or Masse mail it to everybody in America

  4. Colour American style 😎
    We come in all Colours of skin in birth .
    Someone with a mixed cultural heritage will understand much more than someone who has one cultural experience
    Nonetheless I don't think someone with mixed family cuture would divorce their responsibilities to all those who hold the same human rights

  5. Beautifully performed, and the first 1/3 all I could think was how our love for our children & grandchildren is—and should be—a bottom-line commonality that twines people together. I wish the world Was fully interlaced that way, though it isn’t.
    As he was reading about the country wanting to keep James in his place Because he was black, all I could think was of all the black women in my working life. My first manager was black—JC Penny, Gift Wrap & Layaway—I don’t think I ever called her by her name, she scared me to bits but I learned a lot about organization and I can still wrap a gift beautifully! Down the road though was Lonnie! Lonnie oriented me to the Level II/III NICU in the crack. She taught me to not be afraid of their frailty, the release of both nursing humor and nursing anger. My NICU in NorCal was an all-shades place. Joyce & Faye were two of my favorite nurses to get report from. Faye…she didn’t take any crap from anyone (something I was not at all good at). Joyce…I wish I could’ve mainstreamed everything Joyce knew, but she was also kind & hilarious. Those are just a few but they all made me a good worker, a good nurse, and a better nurse. I’d never have continued in the NICU without Lonnie, she helped me be brave. And Joyce…she brought in a teeny 24 weeker one day from transport, doing badly. She knew he was tanking, I knew it and kept thinking “How can we make this bearable when the parents get here!?” The real answer is we can’t, but it matters to try. Joyce kept me grounded enough to stay grounded and care for this very sick little guy.
    There’ve been many people in my work life who’ve been examples of excellence and compassion. But every time I hear how the country or society wants to keep people of color down I think about the majority of my co-workers. My work places wouldn’t have been as great and I can’t imagine who I’d be without them! And all I can hope is that my niece and my kids can all live and work with people as great as I have.

  6. James Baldwin was one of the greatest Americans of his or any other century. He deserves statues and status equal to Lincoln, Washington or any other American icon; perhaps greater. What an intellect and what a heart