Region celebrates James Baldwin’s centennial
This year marks the centennial of James Baldwin and it’s not going unnoticed. Born in New York City on Aug. 2, 1924, Baldwin was a 20th century literary titan.
Not only was he tremendously prolific and talented, the novelist/poet/playwright/ and essayist par excellence, fearlessly wrote works exploring core identity topics including masculinity, race, class, and sexuality.
Baldwin was also Black, openly gay (long before Stonewall) and an activist. With the ubiquitous cigarette in hand, a quick mind and courageous heart, he was a regular on popular talk shows, and a leading voice in the civil rights movement, unreservedly addressing social inequities and Black oppression.
In recognition of his greatness, Baldwin centennial celebrations have been popping up all over. In North Bethesda, the Strathmore has already embarked on two months of commemorative programming, including live musical and theatrical events celebrating the late writer’s genius.
