As various groups struggled to end racial discrimination and segregation, Baldwin became an increasingly spirited spokesman, stating in essays and speeches the agony of being black in America. ... During the winter of 1944-1945, he met the distinguished black writer Richard Wright, who became a mentor and father figure to him. Wright also recommended him for the Eugene Saxton Fellowship that he received in 1945. ... Baldwin's 1949 essay Everybody's Protest Novel and 1951 essay Many Thousands Gone, however, both of which criticized Wright's Native Son, created a lasting break i...

• Word Count: 2618
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School