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. The Legacy Walk.
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.
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
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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.
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 and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and 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 this marker); Marsha P. Johnson
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.
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
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 394 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 7, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
