Go Tell it On the Mountain Lesson Plan

James Baldwin (1925-1987) was a prolific novelist, essayist, poet, and playwright. Born in Harlem, Baldwin grew up without knowing the name of his biological father. He had a tense relationship with his stepfather, a Baptist minister, although he served as a youth minister when he was a teenager. During his youth, Baldwin demonstrated a gift for writing and worked on his school's newspaper with Richard Avedon, who would go on to be one of fashion's most famous photographers. After high school graduation, Baldwin took work wherever he could find it to help support his many siblings. This work took him outside of New York City, to New Jersey and other surrounding locations, where he faced...