"To act is to be committed and to be committed is to be in danger"
-James Baldwin
This quote is form "My Dungeon Shook."
I don't really get this quote and how it's related to the writing. Can someone please explain it for me, and give me as many information to help to me better understand the writing and the quote.
2006-12-04 17:16:54 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
Your actions reflect your commitments -- your commitment to being a good/bad person, commitment to a particular issue, etc. When you commit to something, you are foregoing neutrality. Your ideas and opinions and ACTIONS can be opposed and criticized by others. This puts you/your reputation in danger...especially when you act on tough issues (gay rights, anti-war, abortion, etc.) But -- it is still better to act and be committed in my opinion, because if you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything.
2006-12-04 17:27:40 · answer #1 · answered by iuoihv 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
James Baldwin was black, gay and a radical in a time when being even ONE of those things could be very dangerous for one's well-being. (It still is in a lot of places, the westen world being no exception!) And Baldwin wrote and spoke out on racism, homosexuality and many other cutting edge issues which put him prominently in the public eye and made him a target for a lot of hatred, prejudice and misunderstanding.
Baldwin acted, and, in doing so, put himself at great risk...which is what this quote is all about.
If you are truly committed to something, you have to act on it. It's not enough to simply "talk the talk"; you also have to "walk the walk". Thought -- word -- action as eastern philosphy says.
And the second you do, you expose yourself to the world and all sorts of possible dangers.
Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi were both lifelong advocates of non-violence. Both acted publicly on their commitment to non-violent change. And both were killed for their beliefs.
Being committed IS dangerous. Being silent when you know something is wrong is worse.
2006-12-05 07:32:18 · answer #2 · answered by pat z 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It refers to any kind of action but the one that comes to mind is the action of terrorists who do carry out acts of violence but they themselves perish or get caught in the ensuing mayhem.
2006-12-05 01:28:16 · answer #3 · answered by Imogen Sue 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
each action has its consequences, that quote is with "noble impulse". to act is to get involved and to disclose one's self is to be vulnerable.
2006-12-05 04:49:33 · answer #4 · answered by les miserables 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋