On March 7, 1965, at the Cambridge Union, James Baldwin, a well-established writer and an ambassador for civil rights and intelligent speaker William F Buckley debated on the concept whether or not The American Dream was at the expense of the American Negro.
To begin, let's quickly define what the American Dream is. The American Dream is an individual has the ability to pursue a life career that leads to economic comfort and security for oneself and one's children. Baldwin argues that the black man does not get to experience the American Dream.
He believes this idea rooted from European civilization and ideals. The process from which this country operates originates in Europe. His ancestors had laid…show more content… This was a major issue. He displays a powerful message when he speaks about a southern sheriff using a cattle prod on a defenseless woman in a picket line. “The white South African or Mississippi sharecropper or Alabama sheriff has at the bottom a system of reality which compels them really to believe when they face the Negro that this woman, this man, this child must be insane to attack the system to which he owes his entire identity.” Baldwin wanted to know what was his motive to peruse something so devilish.
Black students had been taught from birth “that Africa had no history, and neither had I.” Additionally, Baldwin reaches out to the audience when he talks about wars such as The Civil War, World War I and I, that the African-American was forced to serve and die in but for what reason. To protect the rights and freedoms they don’t receive? However, after World War II, this gave an opportunity for the black man to realize that they were above a “savage or a clown.” James Baldwin doesn’t want the past to rule the future. Baldwin ended his speech with the advice to “surrender to the notion” that one-ninth of their number does not matter.
Baldwin delivered an inspirational and moving speech that touched many whites. He obtained a supporting audience from the British which was not expected. The announcer even said that he’s never seen such a strong reaction
