Civil Rights Era Photos Illustrate New Edition Of James Baldwin Book

By Jason Marck
MLK on the march
Dr. King marches from Selma to Montgomery Courtesy of Steve Schapiro
MLK on the march
Dr. King marches from Selma to Montgomery Courtesy of Steve Schapiro

Civil Rights Era Photos Illustrate New Edition Of James Baldwin Book

By Jason Marck
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When photojournalist Steve Schapiro read the first part of James Baldwin’s “The Fire Next Time” in 1962, he told his editor at Life magazine he wanted to do a spread on Baldwin. The following year Schapiro got his chance, travelling with Baldwin around the south as he did a series of lectures and held meetings with important leaders of the civil rights movement.

Baldwin in NYC
Writer James Baldwin on a cold day in New York City Courtesy of Steve Schapiro

In addition to being exposed to Baldwin’s warmth, humor, and intellect, the New York born-and-bred Schapiro was exposed to the violent, ugly realities of the Jim Crow south, and the people who were opposed to change.

Mississippi State Troopers
State troopers keep protesters at bay during a civil rights rally in Mississippi Courtesy of Steve Schapiro

Now, a new edition of “The Fire Next Time” intertwines James Baldwin’s searing words with Steve Schapiro’s impactful photographs of the civil rights movement in the mid 1960’s.

Vote
One of Schapiro’s favorite images from the era, a young man at a rally for voting rights in Mississippi Courtesy of Steve Schapiro