I am Not Your Negro is with no doubt an essential documentary as James Baldwin engages in issues of life, culture, and race. In the film, Baldwin seeks to stir discussions that are cultural related and debate through articulate thoughts as well as expressions of principle. Repetitively, the film reveals Baldwin’s uniqueness in exposing how anti-black feeling constituted the American social, political as well as cultural imaginations. He speaks of whites and blacks and their perceived hatred with each other. He states that rage is the root cause of black man’s hatred. The film’s most scenes interpose shots of violence by the police directed against people of black origin in 60’s as well as similar violence taking place presently, making use of Baldwin’s words to break down the two eras distance (Baldwin).
The film is abnormally silent on sexuality role in life and works of Baldwin with only a transitory gesture to his sexuality that replicates a small sentence obtained in FBI memo which categorizes Baldwin as a gay. The documentary also presents a moment of hope, for instance where reference is made to “The Defiant Ones,” an old movie, in which a white and black man chained together, persistently fight until they realize their future is dependent on being in a partnership. Likewise, Baldwin put forward that America’s future for both whites and blacks depends on both working together. Towards the end of the documentary, Baldwin interestingly shifts to considering the psychological impact of repression on the autocrats themselves. He whines the poor moral character resulting on or after the domination of “other.” The film provides an incredible representation of Baldwin’s life as well as a vast continuity of racial dilemma in America.
Works Cited
I Am Not Your Negro. Directed by Raoul Peck. Performances by James Baldwin. Magnolia Home Entertainment, 2016.
