It is dangerous to be an American Negro male. America has never wanted its Negroes to be men, and does not, generally, treat them as men. It treats them as mascots, pets, or things.
James A. BaldwinRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the personal transformation and rejection of previous identities to embrace a new cultural identity as an American.
James A. Baldwin's quote suggests that becoming an American involves a profound personal journey where an individual must let go of previous affiliations and histories. It highlights the idea that the true essence of American identity is formed when one fully embraces the culture and values of the United States, shedding past ties and histories in the process.
Themes
IdentityTransformationCultureHistoryAdoption
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech addressing new citizens during a naturalization ceremony.
More from James A. Baldwin
All quotes →The white man discovered the Cross by way of the Bible, but the black man discovered the Bible by way of the Cross.
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Those kids aren't dumb. But the people who run these schools want to make sure they don't get smart: they are really teaching the kids to be slaves.
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Experience, which destroys innocence, also leads one back to it.
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The reason people think it's important to be white is that they think it's important not to be black.
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The trick is to love somebody.... If you love one person, you see everybody else differently.
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