Another Classic, The Fire burning novel, James Baldwin.
The Fire Next Time, James Baldwin, © 1963 (106 Pages) $13.95
I have never been engrossed in a book save reading, The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli, in two sittings I devoured it. I found myself once again reading in prints—James Baldwin, an unexplainable excitement in three sittings. Nasiru is a sure but slow reader.
The book is made up of two letters; to his Nephew James, and 2ndly to all of us who read, and will read him onwards. The Essays are interspersed from family concerns, social integration, facism, racism and to the poignant realities in the streets highlighted under the 'Region of His Mind’, soo thought provoking and lingering and it lingers loudly even now as it did before.
Baldwin proves who he is; a Yankee!, a truth Sayer, a Championer of truth, a (self resigned) Pastor, an Activist and a Writer whose writings cuts through wittingly exposing his unparalleled talents. Forget the Artists regard the art is all I will and can say not to budge or land judgement to his sexuality. And He achieved a lot in the esteemed minds of Blacks, Whites, Browns, Reds and Colored folks. Need I say Moor? And the Prophet will shake head:
"I'm surprised when a Moor does right?
In his ups and downs he met fellow countrymen; the goons, pimps, hoemongers, racketeers, tycoons, peasants and the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, of the Nation of Islam. And the true words therein confirms "a sinking feelings" as Director Urban League in 1959, Edwin C. Berry stated: "I have a sinking feeling that, Elijah Muhammad is very significant." He sure is!
Read,
"Elijah Muhammad has been able to do what generations of welfare workers and committees and resolutions and reports and housing projects and playgrounds have failed to do: to heal and redeem drunkards and junkies, to convert people who have come out of prison and to keep them out, to make men chaste and women virtuous, and to invest both the male and female with a pride and a serenity that hang about them like an unfailing light. He has done all these things, which our Christian Church has spectacularly failed to do. How has Elijah managed it?"
Lord Knows How and Posterity would judges us all.
My goodness!, I shall in due time read His, Go Tell It on the Mountain, the earliest semi-biographical work of Baldwin. We can agree to disagree but
Some things must be said,
Some texts must be read.
He cautioned his namesake,
"This innocent country set you down in ghetto in which, in fact, it intended that you should perish."
Furthering,
"I know your countrymen do not agree with me about this, and I hear them saying, "You exaggerate." They do not know Harlem, and I do. So do you. Take no one's word for anything, including mine—but trust your experience. Know whence you came. If you know whence you came, there is really no limit to where you can go. The details and symbols of your life have been deliberately constructed to make you believe what white people say about you."
God gave Noah the rainbow sign, No more water, the fire next time! I dash out 5 🌟 on the book and would recommend you, to read and digest it. It answers problems and with proceedings to help us Firestone our zeal for a better world.
Written by yours,
Nasiru Wonder.
© 13/01/2021
