To celebrate James Baldwin’s life and work, Lewis Latimer House Museum hosts a special virtual Reading & Discussion series this fall. Participants are welcome to join any number of the five virtual sessions. This series takes place biweekly on Wednesday evenings in September – November 2021.
Facilitator: Sherese Francis
James Baldwin once said ““If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you don’t see.” Throughout his life Baldwin used his words to reveal difficult, complex truths about America and the world, about his communities and even about himself, because he believed truth-telling was an act of love. In this Reading and Discussion series, we will look at various writings from Baldwin, thinking about how his truths are still relevant in 21st century America.
Virtual Session 4
Further utilizing themes from Baldwin's essay, "Down At the Cross," and referencing the work of Ashon Crawley, we will look at stories and essays, like "Sonny's Blues," "The Outing," "Notes on a Native Son," and "Male Prison," to discuss queerness, gender norms, and the erotic in Black community, the Black church, and Black music within Baldwin's work.
This Reading & Discussion series is supported by Humanities NY.