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
Somebody," said Jacques, "your father or mine, should have told us that not many people have ever died of love. But multitudes have perished, and are perishing every hour - and in the oddest places! - for the lack of it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of love and how its absence can lead to suffering.
James A. Baldwin highlights the profound impact that love has on human existence, suggesting that while not many die literally from love, the lack of love can lead to deep emotional and existential crises that affect countless lives. The quote encourages us to appreciate love, as it is essential for our well-being and fulfillment.
Themes
LoveLackSufferingImportanceExistence
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared at a wedding to emphasize the significance of love in relationships.
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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