The Contribution of James Baldwin as a Social Worker - Essay Sample

Introduction

James Arthur Baldwin was an American Writer and activist. He was born in 1924 and died in 1987. During his time, Baldwin established himself as an amicable writer whose novels and publications mainly covered the issues of racisms, sexual, and class distinctions. His writings were inspired by the events of racial segregation on sexual and skin color in America and Europe. During his lifetime, the issue inequality of African Americans and bisexual men were major obstacles for individuals to be accepted in society. As a writer, he used his talent in writing to fight for the rights of the minority to be accepted in American society. Baldwin's writing and actions reflect him as a social worker.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

Firstly, Baldwin was involved in fighting for equality and acceptance of bisexuals in society. During his time, American society neglected and ignored the gay people. The bisexuals were left to suffer from cases of inequality and segregation. As social a worker, Baldwin stands up with the vulnerable group of gay people by writing about their discrimination in the community. In 1954, Baldwin wrote a novel titled "Giovanni's Room" which explored the interracial relationships and controversies on the subject of homosexuality as a taboo. Baldwin himself had become open about his homosexuality and relationships with men. Through writing, Baldwin argued that the relationship status of a person should not be used to limit the freedom of homosexual individuals.

Baldwin works reflect his image as a social worker because he fought for recognition of the blacks. In 1963, Baldwin wrote a novel "The First Next Time". The collection aimed at educating American society on what it meant to be a black person. The collection offered insight into the whites by changing their view on African Americans. Through his collection on race, Baldwin aimed at improving the living conditions of the black community. Since the American Revolution, the people of color in America were neglected and discriminated on their skin color. Baldwin aimed at changing the whites' perception of the blacks by writing novels and plays that discouraged racial discrimination. For example, in 1964 Baldwin wrote a play titled "Blues for Mister Charlie." The play was about a young African American boy named Emmet Till who had been murdered in 1955.

Baldwin works also shows that he was a social worker when he joined civil rights movements to fight for minority groups in America. For instance, in 1970 Baldwin joined other activists like Martin Luther King in fighting for equality of the African Americans. As an activist, Baldwin toured several parts of America like Georgia and Atlanta. In his tours as an activist, Baldwin wrote articles which focused on discrimination cases of people of color. As an activist, Baldwin helped the minority and vulnerable groups of people of color to find justice and equality in the American system.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Baldwin was a real social worker who focused on helping the minority and vulnerable groups in America. During his time, cases of discrimination on racial, sexual, and color of skin were common. However, Baldwin used his talent as a writer to write scripts, novels, and publications which gave insight to the whites on accepting people despite their differences in color and sexual status. Additionally, Baldwin was a social worker because he joined other activists and civil rights movements in fighting for equality and recognition of the minority groups like African Americans.

Reference

James Baldwin Biography. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/people/james-baldwin-9196635