There are few things under heaven more unnerving than the silent, accumulating contempt and hatred of a people.
James A. BaldwinA child cannot be taught by anyone who despises him, and a child cannot afford to be fooled.
James A. BaldwinIt seems to be typical of life in America ... that the second generation has no time to talk to the first.
James A. BaldwinThe question of sexual dominance can exist only in the nightmare of that soul which has armed itself, totally, against the possibility of the changing motion of conquest and surrender, which is love.
James A. BaldwinWe should certainly know by now that it is one thing to overthrow a dictator or repel an invader and quite another thing really to achieve a revolution. Time and time and time again, the people discover that they have merely betrayed themselves into the hands of yet another Pharaoh, who, since he was necessary to put the broken country together, will not let them go.
James A. Baldwin