Summer With James Baldwin

It was the summer of my youth in which I attended a week long literary summit at Wagner College, Staten Island, NYC.

Writers read and shared their writings through readings, while publishers spoke of the industry's future. Q & A was to be had, then a coffee break where the attendees mingled and greeted each other.

We then returned to the lecture hall where James Baldwin - the major guest lecturer was introduced. He spoke of his writings, read passages from his published works and he to answered questions.

That evening I walked on campus seeing James in the distance light up a cigarette. I stopped and introduced myself. We sat on a bench, chatted and in passing mentioned that I had survived WWII. He listened, as I was interested in his life as well.

At the conclusion of the following day's session, we went to a pub at the bottom of the hill off campus. There he spoke of politics, cultural scene of the US and internationally. Again in passing I mentioned I was a holocaust survivor. He sat there, listened, lit up a cigarette and never forgot his words, "we both are survivors".

Summer rolled into fall, James invited me to several parties given at his Horatio Street flat. In the winter we met several more times when he returned to Paris, the city he loved.

Memories never to be forgotten, especially when JB is mentioned on a daily basis internationally, as author, civil rights fighter and regarding his political philosophy.