HAC Timely Topics - Baldwin-Buckley Debate of 1/2 Century Ago

Baldwin-Buckley Debate of 1/2 Century Ago
Motion: "The American dream is at the expense of the American Negro."

In this Timely Topics, we will watch the historic televised debate between James Baldwin, the well-known African American writer and activist, and William F Buckley, the influential conservative writer, publisher and television personality. The event, which was held at the Cambridge Union, and took place on February 18, 1965, debated the motion, "The American dream is at the expense of the American Negro." Baldwin won by a landslide.

The event, first broadcast live by the BBC, was later widely rebroadcast on stations throughout the U.S., and was discussed in books and articles and and in various media.

We'll start with a potluck dinner at 2:30 pm, followed at 3:00 pm by the video. Manny Ratafia will then moderate a discussion. Please bring a dish to share. Coffee and tea will be provided. If you plan on bringing a baked dessert such as cake, pie or cookies, please do, but also please e-mail Manny Ratafia at manny(at)ratafias(dot)com to let him know what you will be bringing. (In past similar events, there were too many baked goods.)