The Friendship Between James Baldwin and Malcolm X

[@dacloffeblack]

Malcolm X was an enlightened human being and it makes sense that with all of the negative stereotypes about Black men being homophobic, it’s probably hard to believe that Malcolm X just valued and appreciated James Baldwin’s commitment to helping Black people and speaking truth to power. It’s sad that we have to resort to these childish types of debates. Malcolm was not gay, and he loved James Baldwin for the human being that he was. As do I as a straight Black man. May they both REST IN POWER!!!

[@THEsoulquarian]

Word. Guess I’m out of the loop because I’ve never heard anyone make that connection.

[@TheBINIBALL]

If you haven’t already, folks please purchase The Price of the Ticket by James Baldwin preferably at a local bookstore. It features a huge collection of his essays and non fiction work and everything cited here is in that book.

[@Jojolana]

Why you put Malcolm X’s height? Lmao messy!

[@ziahmanarchive]

soul mates ≠ lovers

[@RyanJMills-lf3et]

I think… going off what I learned about the Jazz Era (1918-1929) in my state of Indiana, specifically Indianapolis, that it was normal to have queer people and queer performers at the Jazz Club. In ghettos across America, there were famous drag queens and kings making a lot money on the chitlin’ circuit. I assume, since Malcolm spent many years in Harlem that interacting and seeing queer Black people wasn’t a big deal. There was a time when it wasn’t a big deal for poor and working class Blacks but the Black middle class and higher were very anti-LGBTQ. I could be wrong in my assessment but I wonder if Malcolm X just didn’t care about Baldwin’s queerness. Again, I could be wrong about this and I am open to being corrected. Let me know.

[@mbalenhlebuthelezi3198]

This actually makes sense

[@yubtubtime]

30 seconds in and I'm dead 💀

[@elee3024]

5 seconds...smh, same o' homo normative revisionism

[@elee3024]

5 seconds and had to #pause...false start smh...same o' homonormative revisionism. Apparently all notable thinkers and men of status were once sexslaves, not only in decadent eras

[@ottabee]

Thank-you Prince for your genuinely compassionate and respectful curiosity and discussion about James and Malcom. Being queer myself, I always reserve open and sacred space for anyone's ever expanding life, especially after they've past on. Especially with the subject of someone's romantic preference and sexuality. As you've shared, it may well be possible that James was feeling the need to be far more part of the lives of these fellow revolutionary contemporaries, because of his own unhealed traumas, his need to be included in the solidarity of the liberation movement, and the companionship of other black men, other queer/bi men. The depths of Jamse's queerness, sensitivity, perception, and awareness of his own self and his comrades must have been enormously beautiful, painful, and an ever-present blessing to experience as a constant. Much of that challenge would have stemmed from the amount of homophobia of the time and of the ability to know and articulate the innate possibilities being created moment by moment, day by day, and year by year for existing as queer and black people, who were literally creating new possibilities for liberation in love, moving, and all the many other expressions of being evolutionary beings. WHEW!

[@Ross-cecil]

every time I hear you speak you're so articulate that it reminds me why I write essays. Sometimes when people just dig into and explain something they've spent so much time learning about the impact and implications of its inspiring

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

Wow that means a lot to me. I love exploring the functions of things !!!

[@justmyopinion9883]

I could care less about Malcolm or James Baldwin’s private life. All I care about is they both loved Black people and did all they could to help us. May they both Rest In Peace.

[@bwackbeedows3629]

That's it -- this is my official Civil Rights Arc OTP. Expect more fanfiction on these too, very soon 🙏🏿💯

[@valuelight]

You are already one of my favorite channels! ❤❤❤ Anarchism is the road to freedom for all.

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

♥️♥️♥️

[@MarieWilliams-ce7md]

This very interview made me the highlight of why his execution was ordered by Elijah Muhammad Elijah Muhammad was an affairs with young girls as young as 12 years old and this was not sitting well with Malcolm x, but Malcolm x was very truthful and very passionate about his religion and his people so he never held nothing back and with this no silent act that a lot of black people could be boughten back in the days like Reverend sharp, Jesse Jackson and other influential so-called black leaders it was inevitable that nobody could pay this man off to keep him quiet and this is why he lost his life

[@mazzoanV2]

So if he doesn't have homophobic rejection of him it must mean that he fancied him right?

[@calebcostigan2561]

Exactly. A devoutly religious and married man didn’t call him a slur so he must have been hot for him. It’s so spicy!! 🙄

[@roamakes]

@@calebcostigan2561my thoughts exactly lol Malcom had an entire family (and was also steeped in religious ideology that promoted fidelity)- I respect the ethos of this I suppose, but it is most definitely a reach 😭

[@OverthrowMedia]

i really appreciate this video fam its dope af.

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

Thank you!

[@yurp7444]

Lol 🫢 I remember when I commented about this on the other video. Gonna put this in my time capsule for later. I don’t want to spoil what i have to say about it. 🚶🏾‍♂️

[@tp8271]

I don’t think Malcom was bisexual in his later years, if ever. Just doesn’t add up.

[@piecesofaman6419]

As huge fans of both. It seems like Malcolm had a huge respect and refusal to demonise or isolate James Baldwin. It's clear that Baldwin has a love for Malcolm but the nature of that love seems fawning rather than romantic. Like someone you might fleeting flirt with the idea of but not commit to. Both fearless in rhetoric. Only right that their commitments should pull them in proximity to each other. Edit: This is a great video. Well done

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

Yes yes I think in the way they engaged there was a big level of respect! And thank you for watching

[@jameskelton6579]

I seriously doubt Malcolm was queer during his marriage to Betty. We have to remember Hoover had all of these civil rights leaders watched. This would have been brought to light as King's extra martial affairs were. Speaking of King, I personally don't think he disliked Baldwin because he was gay. If you haven't already look up Bayard Rustin who was King's assistant and main speech writer. Rustin was very instrumental in shaping the Civil rights movement back then and was openly gay that was known to all, including King. If King had issues with James Baldwin it could have been for any number of reasons. I'm just doubtful it's due to Baldwins sexual preferences.

[@dalllazlh]

You absolutely are

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

?

[@AnitaMariaWhite]

Disrespectful...the idea.

[@Ramenmemes]

Yea baldwin probably hyperbolized his importance but hey he's a writer. that's kind of what writers do.

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

Oh the shade!! but I detect no lies

[@mykdebradley3586]

SOULMATES iZ Where their Souls MET, and where they met mentally, that iZ such a rare phenomenon, it doesn't mean physical mates, although that would be a euphoric trifecta that most Humans only dream oF.

[@marcusdavis5599]

This discussion is a bit disrespectful honestly

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

?

[@deetaylor334]

@@PrinceShakurKZbinfacts speculating homosexuality is violating

[@calebcostigan2561]

Yep. Gay people today need every historical figure to be “queer” now lol. It’s so spicy!!

[@danielhicks6406]

General speculation isn't disrespectful. But I don't think Malcom x was himself bisexual or gay, because he was, as you said, Nation of Islam. If Malcom X was gay or bi uncle Sam would have known, and then publicized the fuck out of it to shame his standing as a Muslim.

[@awkwardnerd.]

I subbed bc I too ship malcolm and Baldwin

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

❤️

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

They’re a vibe

[@kenyaaragon3944]

Im going insane does anyone know the outro name song

[@oj3730]

You know you're a good comrade when people are taking an interest in your romantic life 😂

[@SableDevon]

You know what’s funny while black people and the rest of the world socially were busy not wanting relationship with anyone homosexual.Meanwhile most of DC was closeted. Gets me every time all the way to Hoover. And they did more harm than good but worked together. Imagine how further as humans we would be if Malcom and James could work publicly without a stereotype or assumptions.

[@Faithvational7210]

Yo Bro. Don’t ever disrespect our Beloved Brother!

[@Arron413]

Prince has a tragic proclivity in viewing the past with today's lens. This is one of the main reasons why he never comes closer to obtaining the truth of the past.

[@PrinceShakurYoutube]

Wow.

[@jamarjohnson6077]

Not cool bro. Do you as the youth like to say.

[@bobonbobcrime]

Lol oh they where FUCKIN

[@p2w659]

How?

[@calebcostigan2561]

No, they weren’t. This is why they hate us.

[@nguyentuition1092]

Comment❤

[@carldarrisaw5456]

Baldwin wasn't about that #

[@blackrussian7968]

WTH is dis? Soulmates ? Dude James Baldwin was a homosexual. Don’t dare try to align Malcolm x to that lifestyle because that’s your goal. It ain’t working !

[@celine2382]

did… did you even watch the video…?

[@bwackbeedows3629]

Oldhead energy! I bet you still have a beeper and use payphones too 🤣

[@johnmpandaguta3289]

​@@bwackbeedows3629lmao 🤣 😂

[@Morning404]

"Lifestyle". Lol

[@calebcostigan2561]

It’s so spicy!