Sunday, May 31, 2009

Out Spotlight LXXXII

Today's Out Spotlight is author James Baldwin. American novelist, writer, playwright, poet, essayist and civil rights activist.

Most of Baldwin's work deals with racial and sexual issues in the mid-20th century in the United States. His novels are notable for the personal way in which they explore questions of identity as well as the way in which they mine complex social and psychological pressures related to being black and homosexual well before the social, cultural or political equality of these groups was improved.

When he was an infant, his mother, Emma Berdis Joynes, moved to Harlem, NY, and while he was still young, his mother married a minister, David Baldwin, who adopted him. The family was poor; and Baldwin and his adoptive father had a tumultuous relationship. Growing up he attended the prestigious DeWitt Clinton High School in New York. At the age of 14, he joined the Pentecostal Church and became a Pentecostal preacher. At 17 years , Baldwin turned away from his religion and moved to Greenwich Village, a New York City neighborhood, famous for its artists and writers. Supporting himself with odd jobs, he began to write short stories, essays, and book reviews, many of which were later collected in the volume Notes of a Native.

During this time he began to recognize his own homosexuality and he also became fully aware of the implications of being black in America. Everyday exposure to unacceptance left him deeply wounded. In 1948, disillusioned by American prejudice against blacks and homosexuals, Baldwin left the United States and departed to Paris, France, with forty dollars in his pocket and no knowledge of French. He would live as an expatriate for most of his later life. He also frequently stayed in Turkey during the 1960s.

A prolific artist, Baldwin published twenty-two books during a career that lasted nearly forty years; he wrote formal essays, fiction, drama, and poetry. In his early collections of elegantly written essays--such as Notes of a Native Son and Nobody Knows My Name --he combined autobiography with trenchant cultural analysis to create brilliant critiques of American race relations.

In one of his early essays, "The Preservation of Innocence" published in Zero, an obscure and now defunct Moroccan journal, in the summer of 1949; (it did not appear in print in the United States until 1989), one of very few nonfiction narratives in which Baldwin explicitly talk the subject of homosexuality--he defends the naturalness and legitimacy of homosexual desire and suggests that homophobia is a consequence of heterosexual panic. Hostility toward homosexuals, like racially motivated hostility, signals a radical failure of imagination and an inability to acknowledge the fullness of one's own humanity. These early insights anticipate his subsequent treatment of gay and bisexual themes in his fiction.

"Outing," a short story published in 1951, was Baldwin's first fictional text that thematizes homoeroticism. A story of sexual awakening, it centers on two adolescent boys, Johnny Grimes and David Jackson, who spend much of a day together on a church picnic. As the day progresses, Johnny becomes increasingly conscious of his sexual feelings for David--feelings that excite as well as terrify him. The narrative ends on a hauntingly ambivalent note, as Johnny gains a heightened awareness of his emerging sexuality that holds new possibilities as well as perils.

Baldwin develops this theme of adolescent homosexual awakening more elaborately in his first and perhaps his best novel, Go Tell It on the Mountain. Though arguably a record of Baldwin's own attempt to come to terms with his own life. Go Tell is much more than merely autobiographical.

This theme of sexual identity dominates Baldwin's second novel, Giovanni's Room. Its all-white cast of characters and its candid treatment of homosexual romance disappointed many of Baldwin's readers, yet Giovanni's Room eventually helped secure Baldwin's central place in gay American literature.

Giovanni's Room focuses on David, a young American in Paris. There he falls in love with Giovanni, a handsome Italian. But David, unable to accept his own gay self, abandons Giovanni, who helplessly seeks refuge in the Parisian sexual underworld. In a rather sensational turn of events, Giovanni murders Guillaume, an employer who humiliates and exploits him; soon he is caught, tried, found guilty, and sentenced to death. The story begins on the eve of his execution and, in an extended flashback, David reconstructs his relationship with Giovanni and his own role in contributing to Giovanni's current plight. In David's recollections, Baldwin forcefully dramatizes the central dilemma of the protagonist: He is caught between cultural expectations of heterosexual conduct, which he himself has internalized, and his private sexual desire for other men. David fails to resolve the dilemma; because he is unwilling to accept his sexuality honestly, he is unable to live and love authentically.

Long before the Stonewall Riots of 1969 helped liberate the gay literary imagination in the United States, he boldly made his sexuality a vital part of his artistic vision. Even more important, by insisting on honest and open explorations of gay and bisexual themes in his fiction, he made a sharp break from the established African-American literary conventions. Through such a radical departure from tradition, he helped create the space for a generation of young African-American gay writers who succeeded him.

While he was an influence on others, he also had influences who helped shaped him and his writings. One source of support came from an admired older writer Richard Wright, whom he called "the greatest black writer in the world." Wright and Baldwin became friends for a short time and Wright helped him to secure the Eugene F. Saxon Memorial Award. Baldwin titled a collection of essays Notes of a Native Son, in clear reference to Wright's novel Native Son. However, Baldwin's 1949 essay "Everybody's Protest Novel" ended the two authors' friendship because Baldwin asserted that Wright's novel Native Son, like Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, lacked credible characters and psychological complexity. However, during an interview with Julius Lester, Baldwin explained that his adoration for Wright remained: "I knew Richard and I loved him. I was not attacking him; I was trying to clarify something for myself."

Also in 1949 Baldwin met and fell in love with a seventeen-year-old runaway,Lucien Happersberger and the two became very close, until Happersberger's marriage three years later, an event that left Baldwin devastated. This relationship and loss brought much into his writing.

Another major influence on Baldwin's life was the African-American painter Beauford Delaney. In his book The Price of the Ticket, Baldwin describes Delaney as "the first living proof, for me, that a black man could be an artist. In a warmer time, a less blasphemous place, he would have been recognized as my teacher and I as his pupil. He became, for me, an example of courage and integrity, humility and passion. An absolute integrity: I saw him shaken many times and I lived to see him broken but I never saw him bow."

And while Baldwin was influenced by those around him, he was an influence on others at the same time. Baldwin was a close friend of the singer, pianist and civil rights activist Nina Simone. Together with Langston Hughes and Lorraine Hansberry, Baldwin is responsible for making Simone aware of the civil rights movement that was forming at that time to fight racial inequality. He also provided her with literary references that influenced her later work. He also had an influence on the work of the french painter Philippe Derome which he meets in Paris at the beginning of 1960s And Maya Angelou called Baldwin her "friend and brother", and credited him for "setting the stage" for the writing of her 1969 autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

On November 30, 1987 Baldwin died from stomach cancer in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. He was buried in New York.

37 comments:

Special K said...

Austin Global Green 1**

Austin Global Green 2**

Austin Global Green 3**

destiny said...

When you consider that Baldwin grew up in an era when African-Americans were still struggling for rights, the fact that he had the courage to also be out is just an amazing act of courage. Even today far more black men are in the closet when compared to other groups.

Austin is looking good in the photos.

And I see Austin's necklace has made people see red again. :-D

Special K said...

Did anyone notice that Austin mentioned trousers.... funny how that was kind of pointed out in the post.... after all the shit we've given him about using the word slacks.

Heavy Petting said...

With any luck, Troy Boy might be doing more today than just at intelligentsia petting Jake Gyllenhaal's dog Atticus.

mapquest said...

Let's see that puts Jake in either Venice or Silverlake.

One Prays, the Other Preys said...

While the beard is at church in Brentwood. LOL

our crazy language said...

Did anyone notice that Austin mentioned trousers#

I think he was making a point to not use "pants" which in Europe means underwear. He stripped down to his pants (trousers), not his pants (underwear).

m said...

Not sure I like Austins outfit. May be the latest trend I know but it's a bit conservative for my taste. I like him a little quirkier. He looks good though and his hair is great. I like the unshaven look too.

Glad to see the ruckus about the necklaces. We need some juicy gossip to chew on.

Special K said...

I like the kind of retro look he's doing but there is just something .. a different collared shirt? or is is it the narrow lapel or the length in the torso and where it hits him that is throwing me off? Gotta give to him he keeps all his proportions right narrow collar, narrow lapel, narrow tie. The suit does fits him great across the shoulders and arms which used to be his nemesis. I like the little diamond stud in the tie bar. He does love accessories.

Special K said...

Another picture of Austin from last night.

**Austin Global Green

Twitter Lover said...

I wonder if Intelligentsia (it's a coffee place in Silver Lake area of LA) was where J.G. Francis met Jake:
http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/

No mention of Reese????

Tweetie said...

Jake gyllenhaal just walked past me in Atwater Village and neglected to mistake me for Reese Witherspoon. Prick.

twits said...

Could be 6:11, today, last week and there was a twitter sighting of him and Reese at the same place around the time of the Francis "encounter".

A new , overpriced place to buy coffee.

chirp chirp said...

Hmm I wonder if Troy Boy lives in Atwater Village. Its near Silverlake. (not be confused with the city with the same name near SF) Jakey sure gets around. Gotta love that twitter!

fair is fair said...

Twits,

You meant to say "sighting" of him and Reese and the Francis "encounter", right?

twits said...

No, the sighting of Jake and Reese at intelligestia was before the Francis account and before the People sighting of Jake and Reese at Lamill in Silverlake. I remember because it was with another twiter sighting of Jake and Reese and some S. Monica supermarket and how they almost knocked over somebodys eggs in their cart and another the day after of them in some organic joint in the same area.

Atticus said...

"Jake gyllenhaal just walked past me in Atwater Village and neglected to mistake me for Reese Witherspoon. Prick."

What are you complaining about? I had to wait for 7 hours in the friggin small ass Camry while he went and did his nooky business. Boy do I miss that Benz SUV. I'm gettin older my back isn't what is used to be, I need room to move around plenty of room goddammit.

lol said...

People sighting? LOL

Twitter Lover said...

Please post Reese/Jake sightings from Twitter.

yawn said...

^Why waste your time?

Wicked said...

The gay bookstore in Philly is called Giovanni's Room.

twitter poster said...

I haven't seen any yet! LOL

I'm sure we will now... Hi Reese and Ev and Nancy! How's your day going? Looks like you'll be having a busy 1st week of June whatwith the rings, tying up the loose strings with Francis, and of course Troy Boy and why Jake was in Atwater Village...lots of PR shoots and original "sightings" to think up, better get your cigs and coffee stat. see ya!

twits said...

This sighting appeared in People before the Francis blog on 5/18,but he posted on 5/23 but he said that it happened about a week before, which would have been around the time of this sighting:

Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal, having a mellow breakfast with friends at Lamill coffee boutique in L.A.'s trendy Silverlake neighborhood. After both ordering eggs, they were joined by another couple who brought their baby. "They were all very relaxed," says an onlooker. "There was a lot of laughter."

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20279283,00.html


The Jake/Reese sighting at Intell. appeared on twitter before the above around the 10th along with the S. Monica sighting. As you know any thing over 2 weeks on twitter dissapears, but you can try and search for it.

prairiegirl said...

there was alot of laughter.
joined by another couple who brought their baby.

^^^^ Did People recruit a writer from Star Magazine or US Reekly? Those 2 lines right there blow that sighting.

I'm sorry, but I think Twitter is for the birds, pun intended. It seems to be a forum where anyone can post anything about anyone else with no need for proof. Shoot, I could develop a Twitter account and post that I just saw the members of Korn at Gates & Sons on Main and it could be taken for fact because they were in Kansas City this weekend for Rockfest.

Boy, Austin is looking great, back from the big Vacay. I think he looks great in a dark suit, but I like the contrast of the crimson tie against the grey of the suit. Sometimes he does look like he feels a little awkward standing before the camera and doesn't know what to do with his arms/hands. But that smile is devestating.

You're right, m. We know why Jake has been looking rough again. Hopefully, now he's shaven by now and spruced back up, lol.

I've been dogsitting again, my lil pals, Puddy & Nikki. It went over a little longer than it was supposed to and I left them before their Daddy was home. I always hate to leave my dog charges before their owner gets home. I like for there to be a smooth transition so they don't have to be left alone in the house. But, he was going to be getting home later than I wanted to stay.

Well, this ought to be a hectic week before I leave early, early on Friday morning for the ol' Boston Baked Beantown. It is going to be quite the time.

Oops, well, I have to get going. Gotta run to Borders. Ha! Run for the Borders, lolll!

Anonymous said...
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Wicked said...

Looks like Austin has decided to tow the OTH party line and play the straight, available young buck on the prowl. It'll be interesting to watch this play out.

Anonymous said...

Wicked I might dissagree with you on this one a little. I think Austin is towing the Disney line and what he is doing is for Jake.

Did u know I volunteered at Giovannis Room on occasion Wicked. Never told u that. I stuffed envelopes and set up the rooms before readings. It was fun.

Florida Tom said...

^ Sorry that was me Tom

I will go even one step further. I doubt Austin or OTH paid for this trip. Someone paid for it and it wasnt cheap.

covering for 9:20 said...

"This sighting appeared in People before the Francis blog on 5/18,but he posted on 5/23 but he said that it happened about a week before, which would have been around the time of this sighting:

Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal, having a mellow breakfast with friends at Lamill coffee boutique in L.A.'s trendy Silverlake neighborhood. After both ordering eggs, they were joined by another couple who brought their baby. "They were all very relaxed," says an onlooker. "There was a lot of laughter."

*********************

I'm new to this Jake/Reese saga, but didn't the Francis blog state that when he saw Jake again he was with friends and Jake acted like he didn't know him?. Would this be the breakfast with Reese and the friends perhaps? And the mutual friend that did the number exchange was at the breakfast?

destiny said...

On the prowl, but perhaps never lucky enough to find the right woman?

And I'm with Tom, I think it may have more to do with Jake and PoP than OTH.

head scratching here said...

"young buck on the prowl"?

Did I miss something? Did Austin travel Italy with a woman, and have tons of pictures taken while out sightseeing? Did I just not see those posted everywhere? Did I miss the pics of him on the red carpet for The Informers, or yesterday and some heavily made-up tart? Did any pics or stories or blurbs or tweets or anything stating that he's been seen out with anyone of the feminine persuasion get posted without my knowledge?

'Cause if not, then, if all this statement has to go on is his own vacay story on what is basically a advertizement for movie project backers blog, I'm thinking our definitions of both young buck and prowl are quite different.

wft2 poster said...

"Looks like the gold band needed a little air. Plus Jake forgot to wear an undershirt."

magnified pendant

:) said...

"I'm new to this Jake/Reese saga, but didn't the Francis blog state that when he saw Jake again he was with friends and Jake acted like he didn't know him?."

That's because Jake didn't know Francis :)

BTW, People's "breakfast with Reese" is more than likely made up, People was caught in a made up Reeke "sighting" before.

J.G. Francis: Several days later I frequented this place again, this time with a friend, a friend who as it turns out, knows "Jake", and also as it turns out, Jake was there again. I was drinking a sweet basil mint julep, which I have to assume is a key component to this flattering misunderstanding. Anyway, we were introduced as he and some friends were leaving, and although he was totally friendly, he didn't seem to have quite the same interest in me as earlier in the week, when we were both alone.

twits said...

It's possible that someone at People saw the earlier twitter sighting of Jake and Reese at Intellengensia and just changed the setting to Lamill although that doesn't make sense since the former is more popular and trendy.

The twitter sighting was before the People and Francis sightings.

Twitter: 5/9, PEOPLE, 5/18, Francis blog: 5/23 but he said it happened s week before.

The 5/9 twitter sighting along with one of them in S. Monica around the same time are no longer up since they were 3 weeks old.

Wicked said...

On the prowl, but perhaps never lucky enough to find the right woman?*

I think it's good for him for his OTH fanbase to see him as straight and available. Meeting women, as he described, but just not making that girlfriend connection. That way each fan thinks she's the one who has a chance. I don't think he's doing this for Jake.

prairiegirl said...

lol, smiley.

You make a good point, Wicked. I think that's usually a straight girl's dream. I know it was mine when I was crushing on Donny Osmond years ago, lol! And I'm not kidding.

Okay, guys, here's your 1 point lesson for the day. For the week. For all time. Eyes on Task. There I was last night, innocently moving a tall cd/media case from my bedroom to the living room so it could go out the door this week for a garage sale. I set it down on uneven ground, first mistake. I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing. It was unstable. Took my eye off of it for just a minute and bang! It started to fall and I did a jump/hop/skip back as it grazed my leg and then kinda fell against my ankle. OW!!! Anyway, dusting off! Thumbs up! Just bruised up.

Now I have a big honkin' bruise on my leg and I had to administer 1st aid to some bleeding wounds. Then this morning, I found another casualty of my unsafeness - a blood spot on my bedspread coverlet!! Disaster! Luckily, 409 has taken care of that until I can wash it tonight.

Brother. Eyes on Path. Eyes on Task. Could've been bad - what an idiot.

Oh! And guess what. I saw deer this morning on my walk. My walk on the sidewalk along the lamplit street. I rounded a corner and gasp! there 2 were. They heard me (I can't believe they didn't hear my walking stick already - tap!tap!tap!) and stopped to stare at me. I had to stop and wasn't real happy about it. Tick Tock, guys. Then, they took off, and there were about 5 or 6 of them. One of them had what looked like little antler buds between his ears. He was good sized, too. The others were small. They took off down a welling between the yards of 2 rows of unfinished homes. Unbelievable!!! Right in the middle of suburbia! I hope they made it back okay. I hate to think they were crossing the street.

VH-1 still showing the Blame It vid during prime viewing time. I'm sorry, but Ron Howard just looks so unconvincing in that. Jake does, too, if you look at his doe eyes. But, still, good exposure doing that thing.

Okay, gotta go. It's Monday and time to get going.

Have a good day, everyone!

Special K said...

Agreed Wicked I think this more for OTH crowd. He is the new heartthrob romantic leading man on OTH. Nathan is married. Mouth has Milly and Mouth is not the leading man type. And the guy who played Skillz is in trouble with the law.