This is the story of three murdered men, Medgar Evers, Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X. Their lives are reflected on by James Baldwin, a close friend to each. It is also the story of America. As Baldwin puts it:
“The story of the Negro in America is the story of America, and it is not a pretty story.”
I Am Not Your Negro, directed by Raoul Peck and narrated by Samuel L Jackson, is based on a uncompleted treatment by Baldwin. It juxtaposes a montage of photographs of lynchings with mobile phone footage of police beatings of African Americans. This documentary format risked flagging over the course of the film, but it remains gripping from start to finish. This is a testament to the charisma and articulacy of its subjects.
These of course include Baldwin had a talent for eviscerating TV interviewers with uncompromising truth. And how odd to think, in these days of chatty men, that at one time such a voice would appear on the mainstream Dick Cavett Show.
This was a time when ‘The Negro Problem’ was being discussed. Some (Martin Luther King) favoured peaceful marches while others (Malcolm X, The Black Panthers) did not shy away from militancy. Baldwin watched and told stories.
But Baldwin’s contention was that the was no ‘Negro Problem’ in the first place. It is an artificial category that has been created in American society.
“What white people have to do is try and find out in their own hearts why it was necessary to have a nigger in the first place, because I am not a nigger, I am a man.”
This is a crucial point. If the Negro is not the problem – if the Negro doesn’t even exist – then America must be the problem and its structural issues must be addressed. It is worth bearing in mind that even the least militant, MLK, repeatedly spoke about issues such as the Vietnam War and economic inequality. Nowadays MLK is mis-remembered as a tame liberal with a public holiday – and America remains in an age of inequality and police brutality.
I am the target audience for this film – I have been a huge fan of Baldwin’s writing since, years ago, I read Another Country and Giovanni’s Room and I’m a sucker for footage such as Baldwin’s erudite speech to the Oxford Union. I advise everyone to see this film, however. It is a pacey documentary with much to delight.
Trailer:
It you like that you’ll like this…