The making of an American begins at the point where he himself rejects all other ties, any other history, and himself adopts the vesture of his adopted land.

Quote by James Baldwin

Topics: James Baldwin Quotes

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it...

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it...

But the relationship of morality and power is a very subtle one. Because ultimately power...

But the relationship of morality and power is a very subtle one. Because ultimately power...

We have all had the experience of finding that our reactions and perhaps even our...

We have all had the experience of finding that our reactions and perhaps even our...

Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot...

Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot...

The reason people think it's important to be white is that they think it's important...

The reason people think it's important to be white is that they think it's important...

The responsibility of a writer is to excavate the experience of the people who produced...

The responsibility of a writer is to excavate the experience of the people who produced...

Europe has what we do not have yet, a sense of the mysterious and inexorable...

Europe has what we do not have yet, a sense of the mysterious and inexorable...

An identity would seem to be arrived at by the way in which the person...

An identity would seem to be arrived at by the way in which the person...

The primary distinction of the artist is that he must actively cultivate that state which...

The primary distinction of the artist is that he must actively cultivate that state which...

The South is very beautiful but its beauty makes one sad because the lives that...

The South is very beautiful but its beauty makes one sad because the lives that...

It is only in his music, which Americans are able to admire because a protective...

It is only in his music, which Americans are able to admire because a protective...

An identity would seem to be arrived at by the way in which the person...

An identity would seem to be arrived at by the way in which the person...

The face of a lover is an unknown, precisely because it is invested with so...

The face of a lover is an unknown, precisely because it is invested with so...

The paradox of education is precisely this; that as one begins to become conscious one...

The paradox of education is precisely this; that as one begins to become conscious one...

Everybody's journey is individual. If you fall in love with a boy, you fall in...

Everybody's journey is individual. If you fall in love with a boy, you fall in...

There is a sanctity involved with bringing a child into this world, it is better...

There is a sanctity involved with bringing a child into this world, it is better...

The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions which have been hidden by...

The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions which have been hidden by...

My painting does not come from the easel.

My painting does not come from the easel.

The moment you think you understand a great work of art, it's dead for you.

The moment you think you understand a great work of art, it's dead for you.

Works of art, in my opinion, are the only objects in the material universe to...

Works of art, in my opinion, are the only objects in the material universe to...