In contemporary society, great attention is paid to civil rights, tolerance and humanism. However, the problem of discrimination of any kind still exists. The problem of race discrimination is especially vital nowadays. James Baldwin is one of the prominent public figures who has made an attempt to understand the roots of a race discrimination. He is known as the author of many books revealing different historical events and Baldwins personal attitude to them. No name on the street is one of them.
Published in 1972 this book has sparked a public outcry. It deals with different historical events. The book also describes the author’s attitude to prominent public figures. A great attention is paid to the murder of Marin Luther King. As compared with his previous works, Baldwins No name on the street is much more private.
The main idea that runs like a golden thread through the book is the Baldwins though that humanity should become kinder, otherwise people will destroy each other. In his book, Baldwin gives his own opinion concerning a wide range of events taking place all over the world.
The book can be logically divided into two parts, consisting of two essays. They are Take Me to the Water and To be Baptized.
In the initial part of his book the author represents many stories from his childhood in Harlem. The book is written in the original manner avoiding italics with prevailing untitled passages. It makes the general character of the book rater conversational and trustworthy. Describing such prominent figures as Malcom X and Martin Luther King, the author prefers to use their first names underlying his friendship relations with these people.
The first part of it primarily consists of different personal episodes, which are supplied with political analyses. He describes his trip to the American south and France. The author also expresses his thoughts concerning the occupation of Algeria and his attitude towards it. It is believed that the publication of the book was inspired by the death of Martin Luther King and in the first part of it the author makes a short insight into his personal reaction to this event.
Being a prominent public figure and political leader, King had a great impact on existing society. His ideas can hardly been overestimated. His thoughts and his proclivities to love and nonviolence were those bricks, which were able to consolidate the nation, making no difference between blacks and whites. At the same time, there were those black people who considered Kings ideas to be naive. They preferred to defend their rights by means of weapon. Moreover, there were many cases of violence and armed conflicts between blacks and whites. The situation became more and more explosive and the government was unable to control it.
In 1968, Martin Luther King took part in a protest march which aim was to support the strike of laboring men. Several days after this event King was deadly wounded. This murder was a shock for American society and had sparked the nationwide outcry. The result of it were the revolts of the black population more than in one hundred cities of the USA. In spite of the extraordinary security measures, the disorders took place even in the capital of the country.
Forty-six persons were killed and more than two thousands were wounded all over the states. For the Kings adherents his murder was a symbol of the systems injustice. Many people lost their faith in the idea of the nonviolent resistance. Officially it was recognized that the murderer was acting independently, but there was much speculation that King had been a victim of the crime confederation.
This murder had a great impact on Baldwin. In his book No name on the street he discusses the influence of King on American society, his philosophy and the meaning of his views. Baldwin thinks that the murders of such prominent figures as Martin Luther King and Malcom X have cardinally changed American society and have reduced the opportunity to solve the problem of the race discrimination.
Describing his feeling caused by this death Baldwin states that something has changed in him. Baldwin states that such notion as Western humanism is a myth and a lie.
In the second part of the book the author expresses his vision and feelings concerning the key reasons of the black peoples rebels and civil rights movements. This second section, which is represented by his essay To be Baptized, reveals his feeling after returning to America. In this part, he focusses his attention on his understanding of race and national identity. He expresses his thoughts concerning such notions as racism, intolerance and discrimination of any kind. He is convinced that these notions should be wiped out from persons hearts.
He reveals the attitude of black people towards the existing court system in America, emphasizing its injustice and prepossession. The prevailing Baldwins idea is his appeal to all American citizens, regardless of their race and skin color, for association and recognition their national identity. The author states that without recognition of these aspects and without the adherence of the constitutional rights, America is doomed as a nation.
Revealing the problem of the race discrimination, he states that the existing environment is a society that is dominated by white people. The civil rights of blacks are violated in this society. He states that the existing system should be reorganized as it has been predetermined by the Declaration of Independence. He pays special attention to the equality of all people, stating that America, being a multinational country, will not survive without these notions suffering the same fate of the Roman Empire. The author is convinced that the aim of the rebuilding of their country is the responsibility of all citizens.
The ideas expressed by Baldwin in No name on the street are still actual nowadays. In spite of the fact that in the era of humanization a human life is announced to be the highest value, the problem of the race discrimination still exists. Taking into consideration the recent events in Baltimore it is possible to say that Baldwins ideas are very actual. The history has a tendency to repeat itself. The sad events in Baltimore and the riots, which were caused by the death of the black man, have a definite resemblance with the events that prefaced the death of Martin Luther King.
The general idea of the Baldwins book is tolerance, humanism and love. Children are taught history in schools in order not to repeat its mistakes. In his literary work, Baldwin gives us the ready-made solution of the problem of the race discrimination. They are tolerance, patience or at least strict compliance with laws. Otherwise, the consequences may be unpredictable.