An illustrated portrait of the scholar James Baldwin next to an image of Israel, a country that he wrote and thought deeply about.
Jackie Lay
It’s been more than ten months since devastating violence began unfolding in Israel and Gaza. And in the midst of all the death, so many people are trying to better understand what’s going on in that region, and how the United States is implicated in it. Discussions have been messy and difficult, and in many cases, utterly unproductive.
So on this episode of the show, we’re looking back to the writing of James Baldwin. Some might be surprised to hear that Baldwin thought a lot about what was happening in Israel. That’s because for him, the country came to embody some issues he cared about deeply – self-determination, oppression, the contradictions of nationalism and the stories we tell ourselves about who we are.
And while Baldwin’s views on the country transformed significantly over the course of his life, his evolving thoughts offer some ideas about how to grapple with trauma, how to approach conversations with empathy, and how to bridge the gap between places and ideas that, on their surface, might seem oceans apart.
This episode was hosted by Gene Demby, reported by Neda Ulaby, produced by Jess Kung and edited by Leah Donnella and Courtney Stein. Our engineer was Gilly Moon.
Felecia Phillips Ollie DD (h.c.) is the inspiring leader and founder of The Equality Network LLC (TEN). With a background in coaching, travel, and a career in news, Felecia brings a unique perspective to promoting diversity and inclusion. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Communications, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive future. From graduating from Mississippi Valley State University to leading initiatives like the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Felecia is dedicated to making a positive impact. Join her journey on our blog as she shares insights and leads the charge for equity through The Equality Network.
