Lake View East in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

James Baldwin

The Legacy Walk

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 26, 2021

1. James Baldwin Marker

Inscription.
James Baldwin
(Gay U.S. Author)
(1924 - 1987)

The preeminent African American intellectual of his era, James Baldwin wrote 17 books of prose, essays, plays, and poetry – works that had a profound influence on the development of a contemporary American identity. At age 14, he became a Pentecostal preacher; something that he said influenced his later writing. His first novel Go Tell It on the Mountain (1953) framed an account of growing up in Harlem in a context characteristic of his writing – a concern for the rights of America’s oppressed and a compassionate search for human dignity amid the frustration and rage of blacks fighting for justice. His book Giovanni’s Room (1956) was one of the first novels written in the U.S. to deal openly with homosexuality; a subject previously explored in his essay ‘Preservation of Innocence’ (1949). In it he addressed the charge that homosexuality was “unnatural” by questioning how something “as old as mankind” itself could possibly be regarded as anything but natural. Disillusioned by American prejudice against blacks and homosexuals, Baldwin departed for France in 1948 where he soon became involved with the cultural radicalism of the Left Bank. He would live as an expatriate in France for most of his later life. Though he had toured the American South and spoke extensively about the Black Civil Rights Movement, Baldwin was not asked to play a visible role in the 1963 March on Washington because his homosexuality was considered a liability by its organizers. Nonetheless, as an openly gay man, he became increasingly outspoken in condemning discrimination against lesbian and gay people, offering a vital literary voice during the turbulent era of civil rights activism in the 1950s and '60s. He remains one of the most influential U.S. authors of all time.

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Legacy Project.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the The Legacy Walk series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.

Location. 41° 56.968′ N, 87° 38.98′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Lake View East. It is on North Halsted Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3704 North Halsted Street, Chicago IL 60613, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Josephine Baker (here, next to this marker); Audre Lorde (a few steps from this marker); Oscar Wilde (a few steps from

James Baldwin Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 26, 2021

2. James Baldwin Marker - wide view

The Baldwin marker shares a rainbow pylon with a marker for Josephine Baker.

this marker); Marsha P. Johnson (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sylvia Rivera (about 300 feet away); Dra. Antonia Pantoja (about 300 feet away); David Kato Kisule (about 600 feet away); Jane Addams (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Also see . . . James Baldwin - Pin Drop Speech (YouTube, 8 min.). James Baldwin delivers earth shattering speech at Cambridge University during a debate with William F. Buckley. (Submitted on September 7, 2021.)

Additional keywords. lgbt lgbtq

Marker inset: James Baldwin image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 26, 2021

3. Marker inset: James Baldwin

Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 398 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 7, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.