JAMES BALDWIN: Interview (Florida Forum, Miami)~~1963

[@jep23452]

James Baldwin was an earth-shatteringly brilliant human being.

[@flyboy513]

Amen.

[@donaldthomas9389]

Earth-shatteringly brilliant. Beautiful phrase and right on the money.

[@khayalethumakosi6678]

Amen!!

[@khayalethumakosi6678]

preach!!!

[@Zeldarw104]

Indeed!!! I just wish the audio on this video was louder, so I can hear what Mr. Baldwin is saying -- bummer!🤔

[@battambelly]

The more I listen to the man the more I become enamored and can't understand why he is not more prominently displayed in American history. A person does not have to be as handsome as MLK to be counted among the greats. James Baldwin is my new favorite person of African American history. He is a messiah to me. Many of his words still ring undoubtedly true today 40 plus years later.

[@ProjectDystopia]

I was just thinking about that today, nicely said......

[@battambelly]

Thanx

[@SagesseNoir]

Baldwin was certainly one of my favorite writers

[@tharealmacoil69]

battambelly what's "crazy" is I just starting watching James Baldwin's interviews this year! *drops head in shame* I heard of his name, but since he didn't get that much exposure I wasn't aware of his GREATNESS! I was just saying to someone yesterday that he's my Uncle in my head!ha How I would have LOVED to spin time and gain knowledge from that spectacular man!:) Your right he was/is a Messiah!

[@SagesseNoir]

Faye Taylor You can still read Baldwin even if you cannot now spend time conversing with him in person. I like especially THE FIRE NEXT TIME, NOBODY KNOWS MY NAME &NOTES OF A NATIVE SON. I also like his novel GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN.

[@afrikawedance2386]

I love listening to Mr. Baldwin talk he was truly knowledgeable

[@vmfleming1]

James Baldwin was just one of the bravest people ever born to America! Amazing!

[@kingconscience.1597]

Brother James should be studied in public and private schools nationwide. He's an American Hero, a gifted, extremely vital human being with richness that begs to be explored. His words are a symphony of poetry and his activism is an example of his sheer brilliance.

[@QuinnJACKSON-zx1dx]

I learned about him in my school year ago.

[@trucksdad]

He spoke in a way that they(panelist) could never understand. He was too direct and called a spade a spade. His intellect was far superior to their attempts to dismiss him. Outstanding Mr. Baldwin!!

[@tbirdguy1]

Just as relevant in 2020 as it was in '63. Separate worlds have lead us to separate realities.

[@arricammarques1955]

The system is rife with racial oppression for the majority of races.

[@nictaylor3855]

Listening to this gracious man is a spiritual as well as intellectual experience. I'm so grateful for his bravery and eloquence.

[@mbsunlimited]

What a brilliant and courageous MAN. Rest in peace,Mr. James Baldwin.

[@supernuke2538]

He is so captivating when he speaks! Wow!

[@051963mf]

His intelligence, his knowledge...James Baldwin never ceases to amaze me.

[@dennispearson9287]

BALDWIN WAS ONE OF THE TOWERING AUTHORS AND INTELLECTUALS OF THE 20th CENTURY !! AS IS THE CASE WITH TRUE GREATNESS , HIS STATURE AND PLACE IN HISTORY ONLY CONTINUE TO RISE WITH TIME !!.. SEEING THE PLIGHT OF HIS PEOPLE , HE BECAME ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL AND PERSUASIVE VOICES OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT !!!..

[@TheWdayton]

He constantly amazed me with his ability to tell the truth in such a way as to sound meek and inoffensive, and at the same time he did it with such courage, conviction, and confidence. I just read Letters From A Native Son, and the depth of his honesty and perception was astounding to me.

[@susanlynx12]

Thank you for putting this on the internet. Essential viewing.

[@josee.martinez5717]

Love this quote: “I don't mean to sound cruel, I know there are exceptions, but in general my experience with liberals is: They have attitudes, they have all the proper attitudes, but they have no real convictions. And when the chips are down and you expect them to deliver on what you thought they felt, they somehow are not there.”

[@found_theplace]

Had to pause and reflect on this one!!

[@jamesedwards829]

Brother Malcolm X used to constantly say this

[@QuinnJACKSON-zx1dx]

This is a powerful statement. Powerful indeed. You will never here it on CNN or MSNBC.

[@davicool4284]

@@QuinnJACKSON-zx1dx Amen. They disappear like roaches when the lights are turned on...

[@johnwayne2103]

My God what have we done. What brilliance and his deep eloquence of describing issues and situations are mesmerizing. The sad part is his arguments still ring true today and what is even sadder is the regression of thought, reasoning and decency that is so lacking in today's discussions. The audience members asked thoughtful and polite questions.

[@truthtopower6384]

Baldwin was BRILLIANT!!!!

[@mochapella]

so encouraged to see so many of us finding these old videos, reminding us of our history, our duty to acknowledge the past in order to heal, learn and become stronger from it.

[@leviahlandau4936]

what a hero. This is a stunning example of bravery in American history.

[@deidrekellogg9100]

A brilliant, articulate, deep thinker who had great clarity on such complex issues. He is a one of the best voices of the Civil Rights movement. (The commercial breaks suck. They cut Baldwin off at a vital moment! 🤦🏼‍♀️)

[@courtneysalmon7826]

Because he used the 'R' word in suggesting that it (revolution) was happening at that point in America. That's the last thing they wanted plant in the minds of the millions that might see that interview... So yes they cut him off.

[@smartphoneconversations]

You don't know what's happening on the other side of the wall, because you don't want to know. ~ James Baldwin #FACTS This stands true even in 2021

[@bwilli34]

Brilliance has always and will always be a beautiful thing!

[@amshiferaw]

He was a brilliant, BRILLIANT man!

[@clover7896]

i've been a baldwin fan for many years, but WOW 2020! words that have remained relevant now take on even greater meaning.

[@chrissimmons6300]

Listen clearly. This man has a voice that speaks to what's happening in 2020. "MONUMENT"

[@SadiesE]

He speaks so eloquently could listen all day and all night......love how sound and on top of it his views are truly a blessing from god

[@TheTwenty7thLetter]

I'm a straight white man, and I love James Baldwin.

[@ronwalker2999]

Lucas Allison 😂 spot on.

[@ludger05]

Anyone who likes truthtelling will like him. So it tells me you like truthtellers, so do I

[@chazmack418]

Maybe you're not white, you're just human.

[@mitchellmiller4615]

I,M a straight Black Man! And, My Brother is Speaking the Truth, that was 1963, and it Resonates Today in 2020!🙏

[@rootdeep]

I love James Baldwin and I think he's marginalized in the U.S. today because he doesn't fit the American myth that he speaks about. 55yrs later and he's still too dangerous for white America. He was also gay and a little cantankerous so while black's liked his ideas they didn't like his person. Blacks today need to do a better job of advocating for our intellectuals. Less focus on hyping up ballers and thugs and more focus on spreading awareness of Baldwin, Malcolm, Marcus Garvey and our other hidden or misunderstood heroes.

[@susanburns6723]

Darrell Williams I agree. Baldwin was a brilliant writer, and a good speaker, but because he came across as an angry young man and he complained a lot, few white people at that time took him very seriously. His complaints were real, based on truth, and his message was powerful, but in his tv appearances, they became redundant and did little to enlighten middle class whites. I wish he had gone into politics. Probably too sensitive. I hope he found peace in France.

[@LostSoulAscension]

What's more is even the modern day left of 2020 is averse to Baldwin's theses. That is why he isn't as quoted as much as Malcom X. Because Baldwin believed in the deconstructing of all racial differences, whereas Malcom is known for encouraging black people to reassert their pride and culture. I think part of Baldwin's thesis is to break those boundaries to bring the white and black community into unity, whereas Malcom makes arguments for further differentiation and reproclimating. I think both have valid points, and is realistically both are what make up the dynamics in any social context, a battle between tradition and change. Both assert their means of establishing equality and power for black people with considerable points that should be considered in the development of catalyzing change away from conflict to peace.

[@ssemandasamuel8183]

Baldwin was sharp, confident and very brave indeed. I am blown away by his intellect. RIP.

[@clarencebowman2184]

I am 52 years old and only this year am I hearing about James Baldwin. This man is and was a giant in the moral plight of the Black Man in America.

[@iamable915]

He is,on my account the most eloquent african american I've ever heard, other than Obama, King, and X, I'd put him number 1 as a natural philosopher...a deep thinker

[@Themaddprof]

He is giving these Floridians of that time the strongest truths they've probably ever heard about the race problem. God bless your memory Brother Baldwin.

[@37Dionysos]

THANK YOU. As an old man who fought to grow up in the years of this show, Baldwin makes me ache all the more for a time when there was still anything like this on tv. Today it's just one vast stupidity-inducing shit-hole screaming lies at me for money.

[@rootdeep]

Agreed. I switched to podcasts where people can speak openly without pandering to advertisers. Soon they will be infiltrated like radio and I'll have to find a new medium but that's where it's at now

[@aliceinwonder8978]

@@rootdeep sadly most podcasts are like 15% ads now

[@brettshepherd5240]

JAMES BALDWIN WAS SO UNDERAPPRECIATED...HIS BIRTHDAY NEEDS TO BE CELEBRATED AS A MF WORLDWIDE HOLIDAY

[@donsolis12]

That white man with glasses and the white hair, didn't digest one sentence Baldwin said at any time in this video. He heard, but he is beyond fathoming the common sense and clarity of Baldwin's words. Depressing then, depressing now with Trumps 70 million followers in America.

[@ICreateThoughts]

The panel was perplexed by Baldwin's intelligence ,and missed key points of his argument.

[@superluminal89]

They actually talked down to him.

[@swaggyswag4999]

They did not miss his point they try to change his point in the argument.

[@chazmack418]

The White disconnect. If you don't live it or live with it, you don't get it.

[@walterhunter3353]

They didn’t miss the key points. They chose to ignore them

[@maxafricanus6489]

Because racist whites need to re-characterize intelligent black men, in their minds we are exceptions to a rule, otherwise they're forced to accept and worst admire our intellect.

[@brettshepherd5240]

THIS LONE BLACK MAN ON A SHOW IN FLORIDA..DURING THE EARLY 60S? THIS WAS A BAD MAN AND I ADMIRE HIM

[@tommytgunna]

I HAVE SUCH A STRONG LOVE FOR MY JAMES🥰

[@cookinggrandma1]

This man is on the short list of the most important of his generation...it’s sad that his words are still so current

[@deidrekellogg9100]

Amen...So little progress has been made in many ways.

[@DarellDavie1]

Thank You Man.✊🏿

[@tawiddisu-shabiolegbe5266]

I thought Malcolm was a ‘bad boy’ but James Baldwin is a ‘bad ass mf!!!’ Deadly!!! Pow!!!💥🥊

[@Metal-Joker]

Let's just call Malcolm X "Bad Idea" to White Americans and America itself.

[@arricammarques1955]

James another enlightened angel.

[@JOEFRO2]

They both had a lot of respect for each other.

[@mx7452]

@Alysia Williams right, Malcolm spoke the truth and the guilt complex leads on to others misinterpreting the true message

[@Timbo367]

James Baldwin the greatest I found about him like 2 weeks ago boy oh boy what human being he was mind blast his utterances are relevant now here in South Africa

[@chucksmash1]

"As for the role of the negro in American literature, it's too early to talk about it, because what's happening today..I think.. again to overstate it but not very much..is for the first time in american history, for the first time in american literature, I, speaking as a negro, have been described by you for hundreds of years, and now, I, CAN DESCRIBE YOU, and that's part of the panic." James Baldwin was a truth telling bad ass!!! Gotta love him!

[@luisortega4991]

He should figure more prominently in 'any' history (not just American)

[@damilarearah]

Luis Ortega his legacy is too powerful as a black man to allow him to be a strong historical figures. As in he would give too many black men / women gay or otherwise too much pride

[@thenewyorkmimes5753]

Nah. He's overrated.

[@miaa7097]

He was cosmopolitan and globalized

[@teachatami45]

Luis Ortega yes

[@michaelmcginley7930]

I agree more people should by only read his novels but his views

[@mjohnson1765]

Brilliant!!

[@h.patriciablackshire6003]

BOOKS by JAMES BALDWIN - Important literature: The Fire Next Time; If Beale Street Could Talk; Go Tell It On the Mountain; Notes Of A Native Soul; Nobody Knows My Name and more; including plays and countless essays. Mr. Baldwin didn't attend Ivy League schools, and as a genius writer and spell-bounding speaker, most privileged leaders in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s didn't measure up to his stunning intellectual curiosity! These books will put you on solid ground. They will anchor you. So, go and get your personal copies now!

[@unclejune5469]

James Baldwin is a wake up call even in June 2021.

[@theshecamel9126]

I had to share this on my Facebook page!!

[@luvlyrickle]

Brilliant and timeless.

[@08MikeyT]

I couldn't agree more with many of the comments made so far. I have some years behind me, yet i can't understand why James wasn't more thrust into the forefront with his eloquence. I am not saying he wasn't recognized but his perspective was way ahead of its time.

[@jacobholley6181]

Well when you look at Could you blame him they killed or plotted on, bombed and spied on every single black person by the FBI who had the courage to stand up and speak about black peoples conditions in America.

[@supastarvfr9534]

What happened to intelligent, polite forums like this?

[@dagothkid6372]

I can’t believe this is my home town of Miami Florida in 1963. My family came to this country about this time.

[@dregreen7196]

His words on liberalism is spot on you can look at Bill Maher and all the supposed liberals and elites who can say almost anything and it gets washed away after a moment of "introspection"

[@thatwritingchick1]

Thank you! I have shared this video on my online book club site with credit.

[@ProjectDystopia]

You're welcome, sista; I'm glad this could be of use to you.

[@RUBYMUNRO]

As a teenager during the 1960's James Baldwins "Giovannis Room" had a huge influence on me, I also read, Go Tell It on the mountain, and probably most of his other works, wonderful and talented man.

[@medicineandministryleonard5008]

R.I.P. George Floyd. Year 2020, we are still dealing with this problem. Enough is enough!

[@Awelesslex]

What a time when people could speak their mind on questions asked without interruptions

[@walkers198]

His way of putting things in perspective was uncanny. Around 17:40 and on = Wow! God bless him and his Legacy - RIP, RIG

[@TheMaddBlackMann]

Imagine how brave Baldwin was to be speaking out like he did and be a Black gay man at that time.

[@UltraVega924]

I love this guy.

[@freddysanchez4160]

Why the hell did that guy cut Baldwin off at the end?!? Goddamit!!

[@bari891]

I wanted to hear him finish that point so bad.

[@Max-jv6sx]

Listen carefully with decent headphones. There's radio chatter @23:45 while Baldwin is answering the last question before he's cut off at 24:45.

[@sharondallum962]

Profound quote: "You don't know what's happening on the other side of the world, because you don't want to know" ~~James Baldwin ~~

[@stacysamms1216]

im on my way to get his books!

[@rosalindmize3919]

If you don't get it yet when you forcibly enslaved people for hundreds of years inflicted violence and terrorism on them as a way of life then tell them to ignore thePTSD that they surely suffer from and pull themselves up by their bootstraps. These are the people that are the result of this angry dejected violent and distrustful of so called authority.

[@jamesdatcher9781]

24:25 He cut him off because he knew how powerful the truth Brother James was. The time is now family.

[@Max-jv6sx]

Absolutely. And. Listen again, friend. You can actually faintly Hear (recommend a decent set of headphones) the frantic radio chatter @23:45 while Baldwin answers the last question leading up to that time he's shamelessly cut off. smh...

[@norrispulliam7810]

James Baldwin was a intellectual genius . He deeply probed the psyche of america as he came to experience it he was uncompromising in his views and the way he professed them.

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

What an intellect! :)

[@rebeccasmith9536]

Real truth my brother about the deaf,dumb and blind. RIP and thank you!

[@TamiDRouse]

Static.....hehehe

[@jeremyroman8997]

The way he handled him self... that's all...#strength

[@QuinnJACKSON-zx1dx]

Baldwin was not a politician or a pop celebrity....and this was 1963!! The man was a thinker. He probably wouldn't do so well being a thinker today. But, maybe.

[@rodericamos127]

He was understanding and breaking down there oppression like a detective and a black man at that

[@solomondivine7617]

JAMES BALDWIN WAS HEAVY AS A TON. BAR NONE.

[@cinimod351]

amazing and great man

[@ashiacameron]

2022 I'm still listening 0nly 33 but wrong era I'm in thank you for who you are words can't begin. It's my people for me even though in the books they spoke another song. I guess when you know the truth you can't go wrong. His Spirit lives within us at least me and my little home. When your ancestors live inside you how can you roam ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

[@cathylewis3967]

Still relevant!

[@zibberebbiz]

@ProjectDystopia the comment was referring to the watermark, one third of the screen being darkened and the overlapping titles in that part.

[@cleydematos2310]

He is the best ! # 1

[@velvetwater]

Sunday Soul Food. Nom nom nom.

[@calinasantos5290]

I love the way the questions are always the same, “but does that mean violence 🧐”. Bullies are always self absorbed cowards who don’t believe in self determination. Their power only comes from the pacified masses. So, of course all you ever need to know is “have you pacified yourself yet” or “will you continue to pacify yourself”. #HowCliche

[@arthurleak8692]

Violence, to them, means hooded groups of bullies terrorize and murder, lynch a single person. It is the only thing they perpetrate or fear.

[@Max-jv6sx]

Amen

[@alexanderharris8310]

A great writer and a great man. Just imagine what he had to go through as a black poor gay socialist in the 1940s and 50s. Jesus Christ. What a guy.

[@lifestraight]

"interior discipline demanded of an adolescent"

[@ProjectDystopia]

@zibberebbiz The original video was a bit darker and still two-toned, and the date on the video was wrong, it read "1964" rather than "1963". With KZbin editor I added the "1963" to stop the confusion, if you have any other questions let me know.

[@SagesseNoir]

I wonder if such a discussion could happen in Florida--or most of the USA--today.

[@arthurleak8692]

No, because no more intellectual giants of his caliber exist.

[@ILLGOOD]

If my brothers kept coming to me for all their needs, you'll find yourself thinking why? If my brothers needed my permission to do whatever they needed to do, again you'll ask me, why? You would think that they were kids and needed some supervision. No, that isn't the case here. My brothers are adults and more capable than i to manage their lives. So, why am i conducting and regulating their basic needs and access? Because i want to be recognized as.....POWER! To all their needs, i am thee SOURCE of their productivity. All i need to do is get out of their way, and allow them to do for themselves. And we all can be simply recognized, as good neighbors. Not me being a go between and resource regulator.

[@humbledude504]

Is this a new film, with old time effects and shot in black and white? Cuz it sounds like America 2014

[@ProjectDystopia]

James Baldwin has been dead for over 20 years..so it's new. Plus James Baldwin was an astute prophet.....

[@lifestraight]

+ProjectDystopia He was just using humor to point out how little America has changed. And in no way am I discrediting Baldwin, but what he describes wasn't so much prophetic as it was just the fact of the day. 1960s America was not much different than the America DuBois described in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.

[@ProjectDystopia]

+lifestraight I was using humor, also. & read the Fire Next Time, that's prophetic, I was referring to his writing, not just this interview.

[@lifestraight]

ProjectDystopia I actually have read The Fire Next Time although I may need to reread it. But I think the DuBois', Baldwins, Xs', and Kings were able to "predict" the future based on the overwhelming evidence before them at the time.

[@ProjectDystopia]

lifestraight They understood the nature of Empire quite well.

[@josephmorris1475]

Another beautiful person edited out of the era namaste James

[@TYMZTABLZ]

When they showed the two guys that would be questioning James it sounded a whole lot like can these two accountants hit Bob Gibson's fastball? We'll hear from Bob immediately.

[@cedric7122]

Brilliant

[@munyaradzimunodawafa7745]

if you are the perpetrator of tyranny and have the audacity to ask the victim why he is being defensive instead of accepting his station in an intolerable situation you are the DEVIL

[@CadeCYC]

He is SO eloquent

[@angelniakira]

Hearing them say "negro" over & over is killing me

[@seanm3226]

Why?

[@arthurleak8692]

You are young.🙂 It's ok.

[@SuperbowlVikes28]

Negro means black in Latin, nothing derogatory

[@kenziemckenz]

im perplexed on why or how racists even find themselves here. it seems to me in their obvious confusion that they are way more interested in a culture they seem to despise.

[@floridalife8190]

The experiment in creating the "Negro" is fascinating to white supremacy. This display is just another case study in order to manipulate the conditions for which they have created the "Negro".

[@flistones84]

Wow, this interview was conducted almost 60 years ago and his analysis of liberals were spot on then and is spot on now. "Liberals have attitudes (ideals) but no real conviction".

[@Kat.Tha.Bat__777]

i love him so much

[@markpeter4304]

I really wanted him to get to answer that last question

[@mweiford]

As great if not greater than MLK. Tells it like it is.

[@karl24-75]

A more purer intellectual than King, but both were major contributors to the Black community and beyond. He was supernova brilliant.....period!!!

[@TRE601]

Not greater and not less great. Each is as great as they can be in the own objective. There is something very sinister and suspicious about these kinds of comparisons.

[@slapjohnson2808]

@@TRE601 Didn't mean to sound sinister by comparing the two. I have always admired the black leaders of the 60's. It was a very turbulent time.

[@gjcentralradio8813]

Aw come on People. Don't act shocked as to why he's not an American icon. Things were even worse in the 60s. I grew up in that era and witnessed it all. Now we have Republicans telling lies about the 60s even though WE'RE STILL ALIVE TO TELL THE TRUTH!!

[@tedcarter8074]

James is an icon amongst the black intelligentsia. I was 15 in 1963 and read The Fire Next Time in 1967

[@jorgejohnson451]

The questions surrounding race are so intricate and intimate that it’s not easy to discuss or find solutions. It’s like trying to determine why one team loss a baseball game and why won. In some cases, it’s clear and obvious, but in other cases it can get down to pitch selection and guessing. At the end of the day, the best we can hope to achieve is a fairness that is best for the republic and the world. If we do not have progress for the world in mind, then we will continue to spin our wheels on race.

[@007MegaPhoenix]

Your comment, is so very true indeed my friend, they claim not to like us but yet, they are always found talking shit on these kinds of videos about nothing at all.

[@albertbrown359]

A peoples destiny cannot be detained nor defeated.Ponder!.

[@rodmckinney40]

We should not still be fighting for equality but we are