Why James Baldwin's FBI File Was 1,884 Pages

[freshwest]

4. Baldwin was a man of character and intelligence and unafraid to take the next step.

As he explained to William Buckley:

“It is a terrible thing for an entire people to surrender to the notion that one-ninth of its population is beneath them. Until the moment comes when we, the Americans, are able to accept the fact that my ancestors are both black and white, that on that continent we are trying to forge a new identity, that we need each other, that I am not a ward of America, I am not an object of missionary charity, I am one of the people who built the country—until this moment comes there is scarcely any hope for the American dream. If the people are denied participation in it, by their very presence they will wreck it. And if that happens it is a very grave moment for the West.”

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025512166#post12

FULL VIDEO with entire transcript at link.