Chapter 9 - Youth (notes on Uncle Jimmy)

As they discuss James Baldwin's poem, "Youth," Aldo and Dr. Roberts bring up the importance of music in the literary world of James Baldwin.  Dr. Roberts argues that one of Baldwin's literary themes is  taking care of and providing counsel to young people.  Dr. Roberts discusses how some elements of "The Fire Next Time" has some of the same elements as "Youth."    Aldo suggests that some of Baldwin's latter poems depict a departure from the stance held in "Youth."  After acknowledging Baldwin's symbolic role as "Uncle Jimmy," Aldo and Dr. Roberts discuss the first time that they themselves were referred to as "unk."  "The unk narratives, begin now..."

Episode References:
Who Can Afford To Improvise by Ed Pavlic
The Fire Next Time
Baldwin Collected Essays
Philip Brian Harper
Book of Exodus Chapter 13; Verse 21
Jimmy's Blues
"Unk"

Further Reading:
Books by James Baldwin
The Furious Passage of James Baldwin by Fern M. Eckman
James Baldwin: A Biography  by David Leeming
Talking At The Gates: by James Campbell
Begin Again by Eddie Glaude, Jr.
Baldwin's Harlem by Herb Boyd
James Baldwin: Artist on Fire by W.J. Weatherby

Finding James Baldwin on Instagram
Finding James Baldwin Youtube

Learn more about Dr. Frank Leon Roberts at Amherst.edu

More podcasts by Aldo B. Martin:
The Reclamation
The Fatherhood Project
YALD. The Podcast
Jammin' on the One
So...Tell Me About Your Podcast

Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Podcast is
Researched by Dr. Frank Leon Roberts and Aldo B. Martin
Performed by Elena from 3B and Tina E.
Edited by Aldo B. Martin
Produced by Aldo B. Martin