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
There are so many ways of being despicable it quite makes one’s head spin. But the way to be really despicable is to be contemptuous of other people’s pain.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Being truly despicable involves showing disdain for the suffering of others.
In this quote, James A. Baldwin highlights the various ways in which individuals can act poorly, but emphasizes that the most egregious form of contempt is to disregard or belittle the pain experienced by others. This idea suggests a moral obligation to empathize with and support those who are suffering, rather than turning a blind eye or exhibiting disdain for their struggles.
Themes
DespicablePainEmpathyIndifferenceSuffering
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about social justice and the importance of compassion.
More from James A. Baldwin
All quotes →The 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.
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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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