James Baldwin: From Harlem Child Preacher to Global Literary Icon | THIRTEEN

"To be a Negro in this country, and to be relatively conscious, is to be in a rage almost all the time." In this episode of First Person, host Kirya Traber explores the extraordinary life and legacy of James Baldwin — one of the most influential American writers of the 20th century. Born in Harlem, Baldwin developed a mastery of language early, navigating a childhood shaped by the streets and a brief stint as a teenage Pentecostal preacher. As a Black, gay man in a segregated America where same-gender relationships were criminalized, Baldwin fled to Paris in 1948 with $40 in his pocket. There, alongside fellow expats like Maya Angelou and Beauford Delaney, he found the freedom to write masterpieces like "Giovanni's Room." He returned to the U.S. in 1957 to bear witness to the Civil Rights Movement, forming complex relationships with Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Lorraine Hansberry, and Nina Simone — and insisting America confront its history to become a true society of equals. Subscribe to THIRTEEN newsletters to stay informed:https://www.thirteen.org/email-prefer... This episode from 2025 is from "First Person," a series from THIRTEEN that explores gender identity and sexuality, covering LGBTQ issues through first-person narratives. The show aims to humanize issues that are often underrepresented in the media or presented as political or moral issues, detached from the people who are living them on a day-to-day basis. The WNET Group presents Honoring Our Stories: LGBTQ+ Pride featuring films, documentaries and digital-first archival content from the THIRTEEN vault. Throughout the month of June, we'll highlight programs that focus on our civil rights history and milestone events and the vibrant cultural contributions to stage, screen and the arts from the LGBTQIA+ community. #JamesBaldwin #FirstPerson #THIRTEEN #WNET #BlackHistory #AmericanLiterature #CivilRightsMovement #Harlem #GreatMigration #GiovannisRoom #QueerHistory #Intersectionality #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA Please SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed:    / @thirteenwnet   For full episodes, check out http://thirteen.org/ Facebook:   / thirteenwnet   Instagram:   / thirteenwnet   TikTok:   / thirteenwnet   ----------------- THIRTEEN is one of America’s most respected and innovative public media providers. Part of The WNET Group, THIRTEEN is a unique cultural and educational institution that harnesses the power of television and electronic media to inform, enlighten, entertain and inspire. The flagship public television station of the New York City tri-state area and the most-watched public television channel in the nation, THIRTEEN reaches millions of people with programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites people of all ages to have fun while learning.