James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time

Abstract

Through careful construction, Baldwin’s essay asks many important questions about life in America in the 1960s and the historical conditions and treatments that have led to the status quo of that moment. This construction and the questions that pop up from the construction are incredibly important for students in 2021 as they witness the dangers of power and the effects of efforts that attempt to assert power over others. Recognizing these rhetorical devices in Baldwin’s essay and using them in similar contexts will help students understand their world and the contemporary status quo that exists in the world currently like the continuing oppression that exists in our community.