It is dangerous to be an American Negro male. America has never wanted its Negroes to be men, and does not, generally, treat them as men. It treats them as mascots, pets, or things.
James A. BaldwinRead
Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love is a war; love is a growing up.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Love is complex and evolves over time through challenges and personal growth.
In this quote, James A. Baldwin highlights the multifaceted nature of love, suggesting that it is not simply a feeling or a momentary emotion but rather a continuous journey that involves struggle, perseverance, and personal development. Love can often feel like a battle or a war due to the conflicts and challenges couples face, yet it also signifies growth as individuals learn to navigate their relationships over time.
Themes
LoveGrowthRelationshipsChallengesPerseverance
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker at a wedding might use this quote to illustrate the journey of love that the couple will experience together.
More from James A. Baldwin
All quotes βThe white man discovered the Cross by way of the Bible, but the black man discovered the Bible by way of the Cross.
James A. BaldwinRead
Those kids aren't dumb. But the people who run these schools want to make sure they don't get smart: they are really teaching the kids to be slaves.
James A. BaldwinRead
Experience, which destroys innocence, also leads one back to it.
James A. BaldwinRead
The reason people think it's important to be white is that they think it's important not to be black.
James A. BaldwinRead
The trick is to love somebody.... If you love one person, you see everybody else differently.
James A. BaldwinRead
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To love one person with a private love is poor and miserable: to love all is glorious.
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What I wanted to do was to fasten my index finger and thumb at the bolts of your collar bone, push out, spread the web of my hand until it caught against your throat. You asked me if I wanted to strangle you. No, I wanted to fit you, not just in the obvious ways but in so many indentations.
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