James Baldwin and Martin Luther King were both alive during the civil right movement and eras of racial inequality. King, who was in jail at the time, wrote a famous 1963 letter. Baldwin, on the other hand published a fictional story about this terrifying time. Martin Luther King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail (Letter to King) and James Baldwin’s Short Story “Sonny’s Blues (Sonny’s Blues) both show a common fear regarding the future for African-Americans in America’s late 1950s and early 60s. Both write about struggling, troubled blacks in segregated Birmingham (Alabama) and Harlem (New York), respectively, and fear that the status-quo will not change. King and Baldwin take this fear seriously and encourage brotherly love. They suggested that uniting and helping one another is the best way for such fear to be overcome. King wrote his letter to protest the non-violent demonstration against racial discrimination in Birmingham’s downtown retail stores and government. King is concerned about segregation throughout the letter. But, he doesn’t fear those who segregate as much as the ones who do not. King sees the white medium as the “great stumblingblock in his stride towards freedom” (King). They are aware of the injustice but not committed to it. The white medium, or clergymen, are the religious leaders of both the Christian church and the Jewish church. King sees two weaknesses in the clergyman. 1) They “hide behind stained glass windows that anesthetize” (King) and 2) they “admonish the worshipers to adhere to a desegregation resolution because it is law”(King). King has two faults with the white moderate: (1) they “hide behind the anesthetizing security of stained glass windows” (King) and (2) they “admonish their worshipers to comply with a desegregation decision because it is the law” (King). The white moderate may prefer to live in a state of negative peace, i.e. Negative peace (i.e. tension) is more desirable than positive peace. If they do not promote positive peace (i.e.,. King explained that “shallow understanding is worse than outright rejection and absolute misunderstanding” (King). King is frustrated with racial and institutional segregation. However, King is more disappointed in clergymen who go against their morals and fail to fulfil their obligations for their own personal well-being. King fears that such nonconformity will make it difficult to end racial discrimination. King calls for brotherhood in a large part of the letter. He defends peaceful protests and advocates direct action. King also refers himself as “we” which suggests that King speaks for all African Americans. In other words, he seems like he is speaking for all African Americans. King calls on African-Americans not to be divided but to work together to spread love and justice. King makes these connections with important historical figures to try and create a sense that there is a shared humanity. King’s comparison helps him communicate the idea of African-Americans working together towards the same goal: love and justice. King doesn’t just encourage brotherhood between African-Americans; he also advocates for brotherhood with his “white siblings”. Others such as Lilian, Harry Golden and Ann Braden have written about the struggles, marched down streets and even gone to jail to support the African-American cause. They are aware of the urgency and have taken the necessary steps to eliminate segregation. These “white brothers”, another sign that it is possible to overcome fear by uniting, helping one another and fighting for a better tomorrow, are also a good example. King ends his letter with the hope that “in some near future, the radiant star of love ad Brotherhood will shine upon the nation with their allure” (King). Although times can be difficult, people are able to survive and come together. James Baldwin’s documentary “Sonny’s Blues,” documents the drugs and poverty faced by African Americans in Harlem’s late 1950s. Baldwin worries that African-Americans won’t see a better future with Harlem much like Martin Luther King. Perhaps the narrator is only one example of the neighborhood full of Sonnys. A short passage shows Harlem’s despair and hopelessness. It is the darkest part of Harlem. We lost most of our childhood homes, including the shops from which they had stolen and our basements. These were the places where we first tried sex. The landscape was dominated by houses that were identical to the ones of our past. Boys just like us found ourselves smothered in these homes, and they found themselves surrounded by disaster (Baldwin). This passage illustrates both the harsh living conditions experienced by Sonny, the narrator, and those of their children. It seems that even though years have passed it is clear that the Harlem in which Sonny and his narrator grew-up has not changed. Harlem is engulfed with the darkness of drugs, crime and poverty. Even though there are new housing developments, their existence and appearance is not new. The life conditions are unchanged. Harlem’s daily life still includes sex in stores and recreational sex. Baldwin makes every effort to present Harlem’s intimidating image. Baldwin is clearly afraid that African-Americans do not have a future here. He was brought up in darkness and has lived in darkness all their lives. Baldwin responds positively to the fear that darkness will strike by encouraging brotherly, familial and small gestures of kindness in the community. He believes that African-Americans will be able to survive Harlem’s difficult times and live in harmony with one another, helping each other whenever possible. Baldwin’s most prominent example is in “Sonny’s Blues”, where he shows his brotherly love to the narrator. After being asked by his mother to “hold on [Sonny ]…and keep him from falling]” (Baldwin), Sonny’s narrator makes it his mission to look after his brother. At first, however, Sonny isn’t able to follow the narrator. He escapes poverty and drugs, but he doesn’t make sure he does. Sonny eventually becomes dependent on heroin and ends his life in prison. The story’s end, the narrator is finally the big brother he promised to become. He takes Sonny home and feeds him. Baldwin encourages brotherly behavior by showing that even though he’s only there for Sonny to listen, it is important to see Sonny speak his mind. Baldwin uses Sonny to illustrate how brothers can support one another through difficult times and differences. The brotherly bond extends to more than just Sonny and the Narrator. Baldwin believes that people can help each other and support one another. The adults in “Sonny’s Blues” spend Sunday mornings at church, and then have dinner with their friends and share stories. Baldwin admits that Sundays are filled with relatives and churchgoers. This creates a feeling of community between adults and children, as well as warmth and security. Baldwin gives five dollars to Sonny’s friend, which is another example. Although the narrator initially feels frustrated by Sonny’s friend, the narrator suddenly feels sorry and gives the money to him. Baldwin says the narrator would cry like a child otherwise. Sonny is a part of this community fellowship. His music brings people together in Jazz club and creates a sense love and unity. He also makes it easier for people to share their problems together through his music. Baldwin is afraid of the hostile and oppressive conditions that Harlem will face. But he uses his music to encourage African-Americans to work together to help each other. Martin Luther King and James Baldwin believe that Harlem and Birmingham, Alabama, will become the places of injustice, racism, and oppression of African-Americans. They believe that African-Americans will be able to survive difficult times, regardless of all the obstacles. Fear is a primal emotion. It can be found everywhere, from King and Baldwin all the way to African-Americans in Birmingham and Harlem. This is how fear unites all people, but it’s the way they respond to it that makes them different. King doesn’t advocate violence or even riots. Baldwin is not a complainer about the situation. They confront their fear and tell us to face it together. It is possible that African Americans found unity, brotherhood and love in times of great need because of people like Baldwin and King. ———————— Bibliography Baldwin, James. “Sonny’s Blues.”
http:// 02=”2012=”Files=”” Moore=”” sonnyblues.pdf=”swcta.net King Martin Luther. “Letter From Birmingham Jail.”
