Detroit honors James Baldwin with community library boxes
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Two of the James Baldwin sidewalk libraries. Photos: Courtesy of Sabrina Nelson (left) and Annalise Frank/Axios (right).
Little painted sidewalk libraries dotting the city are full of books by and about one person: James Baldwin.
Why it matters: The seven boxes for borrowing and donating books were recently installed to reintroduce the late author and activist back into today's conversations, lift his voice and encourage thoughtful reading.
State of play: The Baldwin sidewalk library project announced last week is sponsored by the city, and was conceived by multidisciplinary artist, lecturer and Detroit native Sabrina Nelson alongside curators Omo Misha and Ashara Ekundayo.
- The Detroit Public Library donated 200 books for the effort.
The big picture: The reading campaign continues the themes of a traveling exhibition shown at the Wright Museum of African American History last year that featured Nelson's work.
- The exhibition, "Frontline Prophet: James Baldwin," commemorated the writer's 100th birthday.
What they're saying: "In all the times that we've lived in, we've needed a James Baldwin," says Nelson, who has worked in admissions at the College for Creative Studies for 30 years.
- "Someone who is an ancestor, but also someone who fought for the rights of queer folks and Black people and also artists, writers and free thinkers …"
Flashback: Baldwin was a prolific novelist, essayist and playwright who became a voice for generations of Black Americans. Born in Harlem, he lived abroad for much of his life, including in Paris, though he also took part in America's Civil Rights Movement.
- His work often confronted the legacy of slavery and racism, and also addressed queer themes.
- Baldwin also had a Detroit connection — a lover who was a dance instructor here, whom he came to town to see, per Nelson and another local creative who wrote about Baldwin for Lansing City Pulse.
Each library box features a different artist's work. Locations include:
- Detroit People's Food Co-op, 8324 Woodward Ave.
- Burrell Trail Arts Alley, 7601 Harper Ave.
- Nelson's home, 579 E. Kirby St.
- See the full list, including artists' names.
The bottom line: "It's important for me to reboot the project of books, reboot the project of letting go and unplugging," Nelson says, "and also the idea that Baldwin was an ancestor that had some words that, you know, still stick to your brain once you read them."