Each of us, helplessly and forever, contains the other - male in female, female in male, white in black, and black in white. We are part of each other. Many of my countrymen appear to find this fact exceedingly inconvenient and even unfair, and so, very often, do I. But none of us can do anything about it.
James A. BaldwinThe paradox of education is precisely this - that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated.
James A. BaldwinIt comes as a great shockโฆto discover that the flag to which you have pledged allegianceโฆhas not pledged allegiance to you. It comes as a great shock to see Gary Cooper killing off the Indians, and although you are rooting for Gary Cooper, that the Indians are you.
James A. BaldwinIt is rare indeed that people give. Most people guard and keep; they suppose that it is they themselves and what they identify with themselves that they are guarding and keeping, whereas what they are actually guarding and keeping is their system of reality and what they assume themselves to be.
James A. Baldwin