Why would the FBI have perceived James Baldwin as a threat to national security? Why did they consider this preacher, writer, thinker, expat, activist so dangerous while Robert Kennedy and other government officials considered him an ambassador for Black Americans? A short biography details the life and works of Baldwin and explores why he was the subject of investigation by the FBI.

Concepts

african americans, famous african americans, american literature, racism, homosexuality, the civil rights movement

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Have groups research the FBI's investigations of other artists and thinkers, including African Americans Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X
• Include the video as part of a study of Baldwin's Notes of a Native Son, of Go Tell It on the Mountain, of The Fire Next Time, or as part of Black History Month studies

Classroom Considerations

• Does not provide links to related articles and resources; however, the resource does pose questions that ask viewers to make personal connections to issues raised by the video

Pros

• The video leaves viewers to draw their own conclusions about why the FBI was so focused on Baldwin
  

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.3 SL.11-12.3