James Baldwin gets his place in Harlem (Amsterdam News - August 7, 2014) #Harlem/#RockThoseReads Education News: James Baldwin, Street Corner Resources, Columbia University in the City of New York EXCERPT: But the young singer from Iesha Sekou’s Street Corner Resources was more than prophetic when he sang Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come,” and getting “James Baldwin Place” in the neighborhood where the author grew up was mentioned by several speakers, including Voza Rivers and Lloyd Williams of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, which, along with Community Board 11 and Columbia University, was chiefly responsible for bringing about the change. In effect, it was practically a James Baldwin day during Harlem Week on what would have been his 90th birthday. He was born Aug. 2, 1924, in Harlem Hospital at a time when Marcus Garvey’s movement was parading below his window. “Happy birthday, Jimmy!” his sister Barbara Baldwin cried out. She was soon joined by a chorus of voices attempting to summon James Baldwin to his stomping grounds. He died Dec. 1, 1987, in France, which was like his second home. Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer recalled her days at Mikell’s on Columbus at 95th Street, where Baldwin’s brother David was the bartender. State Sen. Bill Perkins said reading Baldwin’s books helped to shape his understanding of African-American history and culture. After citing a number of Baldwin’s publications, Assemblyman Keith Wright recalled that one of Baldwin’s most memorable expressions was, “I want to be an honest man and a good writer.” “And he accomplished both these missions,” Wright said. The esteemed poet Sonia Sanchez said, “Because of James Baldwin I am.” She opened her remarks singing, “Woke up this morning with my mind on James Baldwin.” There were a number of proclamations from Councilwoman Inez Dickens, Perkins, Brewer, Wright and Rep. Charles Rangel, represented by Jeff Eaton.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 01:46:46 +0000
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