James Baldwin Debates William F. Buckley (1965)

Historic debate between James Baldwin v. William F. Buckley Jr. at Cambridge University on the question: "Is the American Dream at the expense of the American Negro?"

[@dcbandnerd]

The depth of Baldwin's humanity, eloquence, and empathy is astounding.

[@DenEColt]

Buckley observes that Jewish and Italian communities were more energetic in getting ahead than were Black Americans, but he doesn't acknowledge the obvious difference: despite severe discrimination, Jews and Italians were never slaves or grew up with that knowledge and experience hanging over them for generations or had to contend with their former and bitter owners and those owners' descendants living side by side with them and who acted to deliberately deny black participation in the system.

[@picassomicasso1]

Baldwin was a Brilliant man. Cambridge Union has my respect for allowing this sort of debate in that era.

[@jsingh106]

Thank you for uploading this film. In my opinion it is a truly important recording of the evolution of our thinking in our country. It's a shame it is not a part of our required knowledge.

[@numchucklee4279]

wow, this Baldwins analysis still mostly applies today - 50 years after this debate...

[@EscherSketcher]

After listening to Baldwin's amazing debate, the standing ovation at the end gave me chills!

[@islezeus]

Buckley did not really address the theme of the debate...

[@b7k1l8yn]

Mr Baldwin was Outstanding.

[@deeliciousplum]

I really think that there is a need for such igniting, challenging, and enlightening debates. Yes and presently, there are scores of debates on an equally as numerous topics. Within my little thoughts, few debaters are as rich in experience and few are hosts to such well formed arguments as these two gentlemen. Thanks for sharing this.

[@musjam2]

Did you notice when James Baldwin finished speaking the entire audience stood and applauded, mind you there was a FULL house! When Mr. Buckley finished with his speech, during the applause, the cameras panned the room and I noticed a good portion of the audience had left!

[@botrrun9399]

Preach, somethings are timeless.

[@TheSanityInspector]

Thanks for uploading this in one piece!

[@drewm4355]

A simply elegant and insightful speech by Baldwin. It is not just pure math and economics. It is deeply personal and human. Wish free market delusionist understood this.

[@ThyGeekGoddessMuze]

I was born the year of this debate, but seeing it for the first time today! I am wowed! Thank you for sharing it. Had people listened to us then, we wouldn't have this decimated middle class problem now.

[@ricelaker]

Was this held in the UK becasue there is no way in 1965 America could this be held? Just asking.

[@shamoney1275]

James baldwin wow

[@willywhitten4918]

Buckley, true to form comes off as an obnoxious insincere rhetorician. Even his voice, his posture and modulation is that of a snake. Just his introductory remarks made me ill and anxious for sanity.

[@1awareness]

Does anyone know more about the background of this debate? Could anyone suggest a book to read about this debate?

[@uknowwho97]

Thank you so much for putting this up, it's helped me make sense of a nonsensical justice that fails to value the life of an African - American child over the past few days.

[@graniteminerman]

true, buckley didn't really address the contention that the "American dream" is at the expense of blacks. this would be too dangerous an indictment of so called "capitalism". He mostly just chided them for not being the same as other oppressed groups who were not slaves, and said there are rising social conditions in the US, so take advantage of that. conveniently he did not mention that it was also an argument for retaining slavery that living standards for slaves were rising.

[@PrincessLovesBboys]

Thanks for posting! What do you think was going through James Baldwin's mind from 45:55 - 46:05?

[@sultanavasilisa]

“True art awakens the Extraordinary Ovation” Hafiz, The Gift .... Baldwin then and now

[@graniteminerman]

44:15 Is Buckley comparing college to slavery?

[@DrJayWestern]

buckley is a cartoon villain

[@numchucklee4279]

cannot listen to buckley

[@daveflick12]

very interesting

[@ladonnaal]

fierce

[@sultanavasilisa]

buckley- oh yes brother for you- the fire next time.