Description
“We are not black, we are not white, we are human.” James Baldwin responds to a letter from an admirer.
Typed letter, dated Feb. 1, 1963, on his personal stationery, with mailing envelope. The letter from Baldwin was in response to a letter from Mr. Francis J. Hughes, included within.
The response from Baldwin is short, and reads: “Dear Mr. Hughes, Thanks for such a kind and warm letter. It is always a pleasure to hear from good people. Gods Speed. Sincerely, James Baldwin.”
The letter from Mr. Hughes is notable for its praise of Mr. Baldwin and for it’s comments about the Civil Rights movement.
The letter reads: “Dear Mr. Baldwin: We are not black, we are not white, we are human. Your love and my love are one, I can not but love you. Thank you for what is the most profound – tragic and beautiful – commentary on the American tragedy that has ever been read by these eyes. Why so? Because we, you and I and untold millions, are there, here, now, right in the middle of that drama, and the climax of our drama will soon unfold, for better or for worse, as you well know. Some weeks ago the unforgettable [sic] – I repeat, unforgettable [sic] – spectacle of the German concentration camps was again presented to me. My only sad reply was that on this very night a Southern church had been set ablaze with two dozen children in it. One can not but feel remorse for the whole human lot whose fatality seems to be cruelty even beyond immediate technical means.”
“Yes, Mr. Baldwin, the American dream – and life – must be re-examined, must be re-evaluated, in short, must become mature. But how? Is your voice alone in the wilderness? Is love to be denied? Are hearts, bigger than the American dream itself, to burst with fatigue? Ours is a task burdened with both human frailty and misunderstanding. How are we to accomplish on a human, national, international scale, a communion, a love, that transcends color, creeds, national boundaries, and all the baggage that constitutes sad history? Is our task impossible? Your last lines are encouraging. Let’s go – I can but badly quote you: that from what I know of you I can trust you even with my life which I can’t value except in the terms in which friends value it. Thanks [sic] again for you and for the thoughts that should and must set our country ablaze Sincerely Francis J. Hughes”.
