Looking out: Warm and insightful

“Something that did concern me in your letter, however, was to read
that since there was not 'a hint of Baldwin's sexuality' in the African
American encyclopaedia you felt 'that is as it should be'.” — Sean Denis
D'Arcy.

The words above came from the letter of a writer from New South Wales
in response to “Hell First” (GLW, November 1, 2000). In that essay,
I wrote at some length about the late African-American writer James Baldwin.
I used him as an example of the artistic achievement a homosexual has given
to the world; and of how disturbing I found the position taken against
homosexuals by a group of African-American religious leaders in California.

Mr D'Arcy seems to be concerned about the opinion I expressed when writing
of James Baldwin's accomplishments in that I feel it is appropriate that
his homosexuality is not noted in the reference book Africana: The Encyclopedia
of African And African American Experience (published in 1999 by Basic
Civitas Books). I reiterate, “that is as it should be”. I will try to clarify
my point of view.

While I am not insensitive to Mr D'Arcy's view that homosexuals are
obliged to come out of their individual closets, I do not think that outing,
if you will, is appropriate in all situations. The afore noted reference
book is an example. The book is about achievements, not sexual persuasions.
One does not achieve homosexuality; one simply is or is not. Moreover,
the book does not document the heterosexuality of other equally noteworthy
African-Americans. Such distinctions do not need to be made when and where
the need for such does not exist.

On page 1736 of the book, for example, the late blues singer Bessie
Smith is referred to as “the Empress of the Blues” because she was known
for that — not for her homosexuality. When my great-grandchildren, look
up Bessie Smith in that book what good would be served in them being confronted
with a need to understand the late blues singer's sexuality?

I hope that I have clarified my view. Let me add that space often does
not allow me to fully present my views and opinions, but let me make it
clear that the children in my family read what I write in this space. Surely,
I need not say more.

I do appreciate that Mr D'Arcy reads this column and that he finds my
writings, in his words, “warm and insightful”.

BY BRANDON ASTOR JONES

[The writer is a prisoner on death row in the United States. He welcomes
letters commenting on his columns (include your name and full return address
on the envelope, or prison authorities may refuse to deliver it). He can
be written to at: Brandon Astor Jones, EF-122216, G3-77, Georgia Diagnostic
& Classification Prison, PO Box 3877, Jackson, GA 30233, USA, or email
<BrandonAstorJones@hotmail.com>.
Jones is seeking a publisher for his autobiography, Growing Down.
Please notify him of any possible leads. Visit Jones' web page at <http://www.BrandonAstorJones.com>.]

From GLW issue 435