James Baldwin (Jones). New York; my home from home.

Among the great authors I learned about at my south London state school, I was never told about James Baldwin. 

I am a little ashamed to admit I never read any of his work until recently. I have seen the film version of his book If Beale Street could talk (2018) and it is very good.

Between 1999 and 2021 I visited New York almost every year (except 2001) and walked around Harlem where Beale Street is. 

I love the song Across 110th street by Bobby Womack.

Harlem reminded me of Brixton in the 1970s; children's noise, music and women doing hair on the pavement (sidewalk). Like Brixton, The Harlem I visited in 2023 is being gentrified and losing its old school character. What a shame.

James Baldwin was one of the characters in Truman Capote vs. The Swans. They were friends. How refreshing to see a black man in a piece set in the 1970s who is not a drug dealer or criminal. 




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