James Baldwin seemed to be a strong activist of the civil rights movement during the time of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X. Although he lived during their time, it seemed that he had his own outlook on tackling civil rights. In my eyes, it seemed as if he was more of a pacifistic and patient figure like MLK Jr.

The main point of Baldwin’s letter to his nephew was to express that it was a little premature for African Americans to be celebrating a 100 years of freedom. As Baldwin cleverly stated, “The county is celebrating 100 years of freedom 100 years too soon.” He believed patience was the key to success; it was going to take more time for White Americans to acknowledge their wrongdoings. Baldwin didn’t want this “historical event” to overshadow all the hardships he, his ancestors, and his people had to endure. The points Baldwin brought up and the respectful language he used to make them has led me to believe that his Nephew wasn’t the only audience he intended to reach with this letter. It was almost obvious that Baldwin was speaking to not only to his Nephew, but all African Americans as a whole. The advice given to James was easily applicable to anyone trapped in the ghettos. He wanted everyone to understand that most White Americans were truly innocent, just too afraid of upsetting the norm of “turning a blind eye” to all the injustices suffered by African Americans.

The utilization of pathos in this letter was vital to its potency. The fact that the letter was written to his Nephew made it even more relatable. How could someone not feel saddened, touched by reading a letter from an uncle to nephew stating that there’s still hope left in this world, to endure the crimes committed against them. The initial heart-wrenching story of James’s father by Baldwin created a connection with the readers, strengthening his points.