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James Baldwin was a prolific American essayist, novelist, and playwright who dedicated his life to deconstructing the complexities of race, identity, and the American experience. This specific quote captures the core of the Backstage History philosophy: it acknowledges that history is not a static, polished script, but a sprawling and often contradictory production.
By describing history as "longer, larger, [and] more various," Baldwin challenges us to look beyond the simplified summaries of textbooks. To say it is both "more beautiful and more terrible" than the stories we tell highlights the need for a collaborative, honest investigation into the past. At Backstage, we use this as our guide to move behind the curtain, embracing the full, messy, and magnificent narrative of the American story to build an understanding that truly sticks.
James Baldwin was a prolific American essayist, novelist, and playwright who dedicated his life to deconstructing the complexities of race, identity, and the American experience. This specific quote captures the core of the Backstage History philosophy: it acknowledges that history is not a static, polished script, but a sprawling and often contradictory production.
By describing history as "longer, larger, [and] more various," Baldwin challenges us to look beyond the simplified summaries of textbooks. To say it is both "more beautiful and more terrible" than the stories we tell highlights the need for a collaborative, honest investigation into the past. At Backstage, we use this as our guide to move behind the curtain, embracing the full, messy, and magnificent narrative of the American story to build an understanding that truly sticks.