The historical experience of Black people in America is unique.

At several points throughout both letters, Baldwin discusses the idea that Black people in the United States have a place in history that is entirely different from that of any other group of people elsewhere. He argues that they have no peers, no counterparts, nor predecessors. Other countries that had enslaved people reconciled their citizenship and treatment quite differently. This is partially due to the overwhelming success of the United States. He argues that from enslavement, through Reconstruction, and the Jim Crow era, Black citizens of the United States have contributed to the wealth and success of the nation but have always been looked down upon and treated poorly. Throughout the history of the United States, Black people have had a close connection to the white population, and despite the efforts of the civil rights movement, Baldwin argues that they are still very far from equal in 1962, at the time of his writing. One of the greatest conflicts is that during World War II, Black soldiers served in combat and experienced more freedom in a foreign war zone than they did when they returned home. Baldwin states that even 100 years after being emancipated, Black Americans are the most despised individuals in the country.

People often choose their life’s path after recognizing they are no longer innocent.

Throughout the book, Baldwin discusses how dangerous and cruel the world can be. In “My Dungeon Shook,” he cautions his nephew against feeling inferior due to how he will be treated. Baldwin advises him not to believe all of the unpleasant labels that white society will place on him, because it will destroy him. Since James is still young, Baldwin fears that he will become callous and angry when the lack of fairness becomes evident. James should try to approach white people with love, to help them overcome their prejudices. In “Down at the Cross,” Baldwin talks about when he was 14 and the various avenues that life presented him. At that age, he started to notice a change in his peers, both the young men and women, and the realistic threat of violence and crime. Ultimately, he chooses to “flee” into the church instead of joining the military or working for the pimps and racketeers in Harlem. Baldwin recognized that all of the criminals that he saw were produced by the same circumstances that he was experiencing. Life in Harlem for young people can be similar to an auction block, where an individual rarely has much choice in his or her outcome. Many of Baldwin’s peers dropped out of school after recognizing that a high school education was not going to elevate their status. Many of them ended up as homeless addicts and alcoholics, which further motivated Baldwin to succeed.

Religion is a political tool that serves to continue its existence, not to help people.

Throughout “Down at the Cross,” Baldwin discusses his time as a Christian and his experiences with the Nation of Islam. He does acknowledge that joining the church likely helped him avoid death or life as a criminal, but after spending time as a Young Minister, Baldwin sees deceit and hypocrisy within the church. While he was quite successful in the role for several years, he decided to leave. He lost respect for his fellow pastors and thought that the money, energy, and other resources could be much better spent trying to improve the lives of the patrons, instead of buying cars and houses for the clergy. He states that modern Christianity uses an image of a God that is white to justify the poor treatment of Black people. The Nation of Islam offered an opposed view, a God that is Black, to promote the idea that Black people will rise to power and white people will be annihilated. Baldwin states that he finds such rhetoric in both to be grounded in hate and does not believe that either offers a way forward. Baldwin preaches a message of love and understanding without religious bias or attachment to religion, symbols, taboos, and traditions.

Racial tensions will ease when white people apply the same standards they use for themselves to Black people.

Baldwin discusses this concept at length in the second half of “Down at the Cross.” He states that white people will have to accept what has been done to Black people and reevaluate how they view themselves and America. America is not the greatest country in the world, the forefathers were not pure advocates of freedom, and Americans have abused minorities and foreign countries in their political dealings. Once white people have accepted that they are not superior, due to their morals or religion, they will be able to see Black people as true equals. Baldwin warns that the future of the nation depends on white and Black people seeking unity, not a system where white people expect Black people to emulate current white society. Integration is just a tool to encourage Black people to try to align themselves with the standards of white society. Baldwin suggests that it will take thoughtful white and Black people to raise the consciousness of their peers.

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