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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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 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...

Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love...

Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

If you're treated a certain way you become a certain kind of person. If certain...

If you're treated a certain way you become a certain kind of person. If certain...

It is a very rare man who does not victimize the helpless.

It is a very rare man who does not victimize the helpless.

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...

It is a great shock at the age of five or six to find that...

It is a great shock at the age of five or six to find that...