For me it's James Baldwin, Audrey Lorde and Samuel Delaney. Interestingly all are homosexuals and have been in interracial relationships.

Kindred spirits?

I'm rather impressed withTa-Nehisi Coates and Angela Davis.

Among the living, Dr. Cornel West & Michael Eric Dyson engage in quite a bit of intellectualism.😎

I see you all like smart people who are down with and advocate for Black people--my tribe.

21 hours ago, Troy said:

Kindred spirits?

There are some similarities James Baldwin was involved in the non violent arm of the Civil Rights Movement. Yet he felt the Black Panthers was also important. Was vocal about even though as a homosexual, the Panthers, would have rejected him. His emotions did colour his thinking even though he was quite emotional. He was also a disorganised.

Audrey Lorde was initially married to a white man and I believe she has a daughter. Then she became a lesbian. So she's an outsider among outsiders. I feel this informs her ideas.

Samuel Delaney is in the top two of my favourite writers. He was a professor and the University of Massachusetts. He picked up a homeless book seeler from Hell's Kitchen. As a lover wrote about it and they become live in lovers. Definitely lived on his own terms

Shameless name drop section. I heard.James Baldwin speak at my university. Went to a book signing by Samuel Delaney. I went to Audrey Lorde's funeral. Ironically I went to her funeral before I had read any of her works.

19 hours ago, aka Contrarian said:

I'm rather impressed with Ta-Nehisi Coates and Angela Davis.

Yes her book Women Race and Class is a book I have recommended to others. I am not familiar with Ta-Nehisi Coates. Other than he wrote for the Black Panther comic book and he moved to France

2 minutes ago, Delano said:

Baldwin speak at my university. Went to a book signing by Samuel Delaney. I went to Audrey Lorde's funeral. Ironically I went to her funeral before I had read any of her works.

Of course you did. You were a real New Yorker!

It is not shameless, it provides perspective. I've had dinner with West, Coates has been in my home, I've meet Dyson, and have seen Davis speak a couple of times once shooting video of her talking about Audre Lorde

Now I have never seen Baldwin or Lorde, as they passed before I knew who they were.

I have no recollection of seeing Delany. Though I enjoy science fiction, we roll in difference circles...

I wasn't familiar with Baldwin's writing at the time. However there are artist that I thought it was important to see. He was one of them.

@Troy I remember running into you and Jasper at the Nina Hendrix concert I Brooklyn. And a play that your friend was an actor. IT to Bookseller plus you have a wide range.