Stranger in the Village: Reflecting on Racism with James Baldwin
 

In the early 1950s, the U.S. American author James Baldwin (1924-1987) spent a few months in Leukerbad (Valais) finishing his debut novel Go Tell It on the Mountain. What he experienced in Switzerland was in many ways a continuation of the racism in his home country. He processed this experience in his essay Stranger in the Village (1953), analysing the everyday racism he encountered.

To this day, Baldwin’s words serve as an inspiration for many artists. The exhibition in Aarau displays many of these art works addressing and illustrating Baldwin’s thoughts on how racism works.

We studied Baldwin’s essay prior to our visit to the exhibition. This allowed us to grasp the focus themes of each of the eleven rooms more readily and focus on some chosen exhibits to explore the many different layers of racism.

The exhibition sharpened our awareness regarding racism and made us see more clearly than ever how deeply affected those suffering from racism are by the pseudo-scientific narrative of the different races, but also what a long way still lies ahead for all of us when it comes to fighting it. At least two rooms of the exhibition dealt with the issue on a meta-level and we could gain insight into how we can actively shape the narratives surrounding us, the glossary provided being just one example.

What stunned us all is the topicality of Baldwin’s essay. Sadly, his words fit into the here and now and we wish they spoke of a time long past and overcome.

Class 4c and 3i would like to thank the VEGL (alumni association of the LG Rämibühl) who supported us very generously with this pre-Christmas gift and covered the entire cost of both trips.

Thank you very much!

Monika Auer
English teacher of 4c and 3i (2023/24)