Question

In Fire Next Time text

What does Baldwin mean by the “innocence” that is the “crime” of his countrymen (pp. 5-6)? In what sense are “acceptance” and “integration” the only hope for these people (p. 8)? In what sense are they not yet free (p. 10)?

Answer 1

According to Baldwin, the greatest crime committed by fellow white countrymen is the fact they directly caused severe hardship for African Americans and yet feel innocent of any crime. The White Americans put in place and supported a system that repressed African Americans but somehow do not feel responsible for the consequences of this system. For Baldwin, therefore, it is this very lack of accountability, masked as innocence that constitutes the crime. White Americans should be blamed for taking no responsibility for their actions.

Baldwin cautions his nephew, James, about how he should approach integration into the society. Baldwin pleads with him to not feel pressured to become like white people or strive to be accepted by them in order to feel worthy. Although he may face enormous pressure to conform to standards in order to be deemed worthwhile others, Baldwin encourages him to remember his own roots and define his own life independently.