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
Well,’ I said, ‘Paris is old, is many centuries. You feel, in Paris, all the time gone by. That isn’t what you feel in New York — ’He was smiling. I stopped. ‘What do you feel in New York?’ he asked. ‘Perhaps you feel,’ I told him, ‘all the time to come. There’s such power there, everything is in such movement. You can’t help wondering—I can’t help wondering—what it will all be like— many years from now.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote contrasts the timelessness of Paris with the dynamic future-focused energy of New York.
In this quote, Baldwin reflects on the contrasting atmospheres of Paris and New York. Paris, with its rich history, evokes a sense of nostalgia and reflection on the past, while New York's vibrant energy inspires thoughts about the future and the possibilities that lie ahead. This captures the essence of different cities and their impact on human perception and experience.
Themes
ParisNew YorkTimeFutureHistory
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the cultural differences between European and American cities.
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