Review of I Am Not Your Negro

There are many films which don't live up to their promise. This isn't one of them. Over the past few years, there has been a renewed interest in the breadth and scope of James Badlwin's incredible work. A complicated public figure from the 50s through the 80s, Baldwin's writings especially unraveled the narrative of a sameness within the Civil Rights era. He was a black gay man who felt passionately about the Civil Rights movement and who served as a major intellectual voice. In this film, Baldwin's work--which you get the sense the world wasn't yet ready for back when he was alive- - is forthright, intricate, rich with humanity and compelling in its case for inclusiveness, equality and for America to not become a hypocrite in its love for liberty. It is undeniable that the public conversation on race in America has once again resurfaced as a crisis. In every dimension of public life, we see and hear complaints of injustice, and we also witness the pushback. The purpose of this film-- as evidenced by its tapestry of older and contemporary clips alongside each other-- is to give new eyes and ears to the Baldwin asked us to see the world. It is a beautiful, touching and politically critical piece of work, and one that is long overdue for such a brilliant mind.

I am well aware of how divisive conversations about race have become in the last 2 years. I suspect that much of the negative views voiced about this film are from people who are not willing to even watch it and who have decided that to shut their minds out from its message, or to even be challenged by a work of art. It's a disgrace that large swaths of people are trying to bring down the user reviews of this film by giving it only one star. It speaks of their gross immaturity and barbarism. If anything, everyone should watch this film. Not just judge it. But watch it.