James Baldwin: The Man and His Work

Artist. Public intellectual. Political activist. James Baldwin was all of these and more. Raised in the slums of Depression-era Harlem in New York City, Baldwin would become an author and activist of international renown—one whose legacy has continued long beyond his death in 1987. Who was James Baldwin? How did he become the master of multiple literary genres and a champion for some of the era’s most notable political and social causes? And how is his influence still being felt today?

Explore these questions and more in the six lectures of James Baldwin: The Man and His Work, taught by Rafael Walker of Baruch College, City University of New York. As you explore Baldwin’s life, from his childhood to his international writing career to his work as a public voice for the marginalized all over the world, you will understand how he became one of the 20th century’s most influential Black writers and intellectuals. You’ll also examine many of his most famous works, including the novels Go Tell It on The Mountain and Giovanni’s Room, his powerful essays, and his short stories “Sonny’s Blues” and “Going to Meet the Man.” As you experience these complex and deeply personal pieces of writing, you’ll see how Baldwin’s life and work were inseparable, with his brilliant works drawing from his experiences both in America and abroad.

Near the end of his life, Baldwin’s influence seemed to be waning. But as you’ll see, the startling clarity and power of his words were never truly forgotten. Today his writings serve as a model for a new generation of authors, challenging readers to reflect on the injustices around them and inspiring activists in the Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ, and other social movements. With his legacy reignited for the 21st century, you now have the chance to discover why James Baldwin’s impact as both a writer and a vocal force for change is still profoundly relevant.