A review by toria
James Baldwin and the 1980s: Witnessing the Reagan Era by Joseph Vogel

5.0

When most people think of James Baldwin they tend to think of the earlier work, written during the Civil Rights era. They tend to forget that Baldwin was alive and working during the Eighties. 'James Baldwin in the 80's', by Joseph Vogel, seeks to rectify this omission. This work looks at: the films which Baldwin wrote at this time; the books that make up his later oeuvre; and his attitudes towards the issues of the day, such as; AIDS, gay rights and race relations. It argues that Baldwin disregarded the dominant dichotomy between high and low culture, exploring the films which Baldwin made during the early Eighties. In addition, Vogel explores Baldwin's individuality, emphasizing his dual identity, being both; African American and gay. The author argues that these aspects of Baldwin's life, and work, make him a perfect inspiration for our post post modern, intersectional, age.