Here was the South Side–a million in captivity–stretching from this doorstep as far as the eye could see. And they didn’t even read; depressed populations don’t have the time or energy to spare. The affluent populations, which should have their help, didn’t as far as could be discovered, read, either–they merely bought books and devoured them, but not in order to learn: in order to learn new attitudes.

Here was the South Side–a million in captivity–stretching from this doorstep as far as the eye could see. And they didn’t even read; depressed populations don’t have the time or energy to spare. The affluent populations, which should have their help, didn’t as far as could be discovered, read, either–they merely bought books and devoured them, but not in order to learn: in order to learn new attitudes.

– James Baldwin –

The Fire Next Time

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