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The Fire Next Time

Questions About The Fire Next Time

by James Baldwin

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Answered Questions (5)

How relevant is this book in 2017?
Michael It's not very long - read it and decide for yourself â˜�…m´Ç°ù±ðIt's not very long - read it and decide for yourself â˜�(less)
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do you believe that this book had an impact on civil rights in the 1960s ?
Aspen Absolutely. It's hard to see the effects because they are oftentimes overshadowed by the pitting nature of black and white dichotomies. As mentioned i…m´Ç°ù±ðAbsolutely. It's hard to see the effects because they are oftentimes overshadowed by the pitting nature of black and white dichotomies. As mentioned in the book, Nazi regimes financially supported the NOI because giving the enemy a "face" assured the defensive tactics of white supremacy... If we merely look at this dichotomy as a testament to the status of racial injustice than we are not acknowledging the progression formed via self-reflection and communal growth and support. The notion of love needs to be underlined, italicized, and put in bold because that's the root of all revolutionary potential. It does not rest in the hands of our government and other mediating institutions that disrupt genuine human relations... but the fabric of pure recognition and communication that revolutionary potential demands.(less)
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What is the significance of the titles of the two sections and the epigraphs that precede the book?
Kristin If you are referring to the quote regarding Noah and the rainbow, it's quite an interest twist on the story. The story of the flood is found in Genesi…m´Ç°ù±ðIf you are referring to the quote regarding Noah and the rainbow, it's quite an interest twist on the story. The story of the flood is found in Genesis 6. God finds abundant corruption in his creation and decides to destroy man, but saves Noah, his family and part of his creation through the building of the Ark. When the floods finally subsided, God showed Noah the rainbow and told him it would be a sign of his covenant with Noah that no such flood would ever happen again. Baldwin quotes the words of a slave song who re-created the story to read "God gave Noah the rainbow sign. No more water. The fire next time." I take it to mean that we dismiss ongoing corruption and oppression in our society at our peril. What do you think?(less)
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What would be the best follow-up work by James Baldwin after reading The Fire Next Time? (It was my introduction to Baldwin, and I want to continue to read his work.)
Darin Campbell Go Tell It On The Mountain
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what is the fire next time about?
Annette Boehm It contains two pieces - one very short letter to his nephew, one longer piece that originally appeared in The New Yorker, - that lay out his ideas on…m´Ç°ù±ðIt contains two pieces - one very short letter to his nephew, one longer piece that originally appeared in The New Yorker, - that lay out his ideas on how African Americans have been treated. Baldwin lays out his ideas on race and argues that the only way Americans of any background can actually be free, politically and spiritually, is if they can let go of the idea of racial inferiority / superiority. That said, I think you should just read the book - there's so much more going on. It's a super interesting historical and philosophical document. (less)
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