Baldwin Boxed in at Virginia State Symposium: A Review

Abstract

This review of the James Baldwin symposium at Virginia State University weighs the insights presented by a number of Black and white scholars, only a few of whom might be considered deeply informed about his life and legacy. Even so, the emerging thinkers provide a wealth of new and interesting perspectives on Baldwin, and the event was highlighted by Molefi Kete Asante’s critical lecture. His comments are a veritable call to arms, an invitation to Baldwin devotees to contend with his conclusions, a process which this article will begin.

Keywords

• james baldwin
• racial ladder
• film critic
• summary of translations
• if beale street could talk
• kawaida
• eddie s. glaude jr.
• black lives matter