rediscovering baldwin's 'nothing personal': a timeless call for justice and empathy

“Nothing Personal” is a collaborative work by James Baldwin and photographer Richard Avedon, originally published in 1964. Combining Baldwin’s prose with Avedon’s black-and-white portraits, the publication offered reflections on the deep-seated prejudices and systemic injustices of their time.

In 2021, the essay was republished, this time with Baldwin’s words standing alone. Stripped of Avedon’s visual component, the commentary takes on a timeless quality. We are confronted with the uncomfortable truth of the work to be done to achieve a more just and equitable society. And a reminder that we humans do “save each other some of the time.”