A review by erika_winters
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

I knew this short book would be super impactful. I saved a few passages because of how powerful James Baldwin writes of racial justice and equality in the United States; a country divided within itself. Baldwin wishes to see love thrive above all the hatred that has culminated over the years. His vision is of love between all races, and criticizes movements of division on both sides of what has been dictated in this nation as “white vs black.” His critique of his own escape through Christianity was very poignant as well; thinking of the history of indoctrination and assimilation white colonists have imposed on Africans and Black Americans throughout the years. The division of “righteousness” instilled through religion and other means to break down people by race instead of the human characteristics that binds us together shows how we will continue adding fuel to this fire that Baldwin warns us against. This is absolutely essential reading for everyone no matter what time period we are living in, but especially in these divisive times we are living in at the current moment.