He left America due to racism he encountered, which he recorded brilliantly in Black Boy and Native Son. However, his post writings weren't as successful as his previous writings. My assumption is he lost touch with his African-American audience by taking on a task that was less familiar to him. James Baldwin had eulogized him by saying "Africa and Europe had failed him" but Richard Wright in some ways failed his African-American audience. Ebony magazine had refused to print his "I Choose Exile", believing it would not resonate with his African American audience.
2. Richard Wright wanted to get away from being a Black man in America but he was consumed with being a black man in France. Richard Wright does marry a white woman while ranting about the injustices of the white man. Wright's wife, surely had a white father and how did he reconcile the two? Was he looking for acceptance? Was Richard Wright running to find himself or running to get away from himself?
3.According to Tyler Stovall, Richard Wright traveled to Africa and felt a disconnect. He was unable to relate to their customs or way of life. In fact, he was disappointed that he was regarded as a mere Westerner or American. Was it a contradiction for Wright to speak about or for the African?
4. It is mentioned that Wright's writings suffered while overseas, and James Baldwin's writing flourished. Why do you think these two writers had contrasting experiences? My assumption is James Baldwin stayed in his lane and wrote what he was well versed. He also wrote about the human condition as well as racism. Wright was too political and angry and it get in the way of his writing. He changed political parties several times: he was a communist and later a marxist. Baldwin explored ways to bring black and white together through compassion and empathy through Giovanni's Room and Another Country, while Wright just remained angry.
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