International James Baldwin Conference in Paris

From Thursday, May 26 through Saturday, May 28, the American University of Paris opened its doors to scholars from around the world to celebrate the life and examine the writings of James Baldwin.

This phenomenal conference, entitled "'A Language to Dwell In': James Baldwin, Paris, and International Visions," was co-directed by Alice Mikal Craven and William E. Dow of the American University of Paris. Four plenary sessions and over 150 presentations in 44 concurrently running panels placed "special emphasis on the Paris Baldwin inhabited, both what it was and what it is today as a result of the marks he left behind."

The opening session was held in the sanctuary of the American Church in Paris. Seven scholars participated in a round table discussion on "Presence and Legacies: The State of Baldwin Studies." This was followed by a reception and a "Welcome Show" organized by Samuel Légitimus, director of Collectif James Baldwin - a French non-profit organization that has preserved and promoted Baldwin's legacy since 1993.

Panel for opening plenary session
© Discover Paris!

Samuel Légitimus, Director of Collectif Baldwin
© Discover Paris!

Welcome Show Performers - from left to right:
Inside Voices Choir, Gladys Arnaud (Sister Margaret - the Amen Corner),
Rick Odums Dancers
© Discover Paris!
Highlights of the conference included screenings of Joanne Burke's video documentary Paris Noir: African Americans in the City of Light and Karen Thorsen's documentary Price of a Ticket, as well as Jake Lamar's reading from his screenplay Brothers in Exile.

Jake Lamar reads from Brothers in Exile at the Hôtel Talleyrand
© Discover Paris!
I had the pleasure of presenting "Beauford and Baldwin: Paris Stomping Grounds" on Saturday afternoon. This talk featured the favored haunts of Beauford and Baldwin, with a focus on the Montparnasse and Saint-Germain areas of the city. I also spoke about the recent Beauford Delaney art exhibition at Columbia Global Centers, Reid Hall.

Monique shows the Beauford Delaney catalog
© Discover Paris!
I sat on a panel with Ed Pavlić of the University of Georgia, who presented a paper entitled "Who Can Afford to Improvise?: Black Music as Heard Listening Over Jimmy Baldwin's Shoulder." Pavlić looked at how music influenced Baldwin's writings and distributed a playlist of "music to accompany James Baldwin's career (and beyond)." During the question and answer period, he and I realized that we corresponded about Baldwin's Istanbul addresses eighteen months ago when I was preparing for a visit there. The information he shared with me helped me write the blog post that I published about my trip in March 2015. We were pleasantly surprised to have this opportunity to meet in person.

Monique Wells and Ed Pavlić shaking hands
© Discover Paris!
At the end of the conference, it was announced that a final international conference on Baldwin may be held in Istanbul within a couple of years. Previous conference venues include Montpellier, France (2014); New York City (2011), and Boston (2009).

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50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Visit to Paris

Last weekend, the American Church in Paris celebrated the 50th anniversary of the sermon that Dr. Martin Luther King delivered there.

Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1964
Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs
On October 24, 1965, Dr. King preached at the American Church during a whirlwind two-day visit to Paris that was instigated by the Féderation Protestante de France (FPF), an organization that has connected Protestant churches and associations throughout France for over 100 years. His intervention at the church was facilitated by the Reverend and Mrs. Martin B. Sargent, who invited Dr. and Mrs. King to stay at their apartment during the Kings' visit.

That Sunday morning in October, the church was packed to overflowing and Dr. King's sermon was well received.

Inside the American Church in Paris
© Discover Paris!

Carving of Dr. King on the pulpit at the American Church
Richard Wessel
1984 Basswood
© Discover Paris!
The FPF also invited Dr. King to speak at the Maison de la Mutualité on the evening of October 24, where he delivered a speech about "a Christian movement in a revolutionary age." He spoke in English to a full house and his words were translated into French by pastor Robert Somerville. He was repeatedly interrupted by applause and was given a ovation at the end of his speech. Afterward, he met with the press for interviews in a small room at the conference venue.

A few days later, Dr. King wrote a letter to Pastor Somerville to thank him for that "extremely accurate translation" of his speech.

Maison de la Mutualité
© Discover Paris!
On October 25, Dr. King spent time with French and foreign pastors from across Paris at the Eglise Reformée de l'Annociation in the 16th arrondissement. He was also interviewed by the FPF for a television show called Présence Protestante (Protestant Presence).

During the interview, Dr. King responded to questions about the practicality of non-violence as a strategy against racial oppression, how he thought his movement would succeed in the north compared to the southern U.S., how the French population could become involved in his struggle, and what Jesus Christ represented to him personally. In his response to the third question, he indicated that French people could lend their support by writing letters to the U.S. government and making financial contributions* to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

The interview was televised on November 7, 1965.

*The September 2015 edition of the ACP newsletter, Spire, reports that the FPF collected and donated 6,125 francs to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

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Entrée to Black Paris!™ is a Discover Paris! blog.

Black History Month 2012 at the American Church in Paris

On February 17, 2012, the American Church in Paris hosted a Black History Month event for the first time in its history: a presentation on African-American pioneers in science and technology by Ellen Kountz.

Ellen Kountz at 2012 Black History Month presentation
© Jean-Marc Cresson
Ellen is a 21-year resident of Paris. She selected the theme of African-American scientists for her talk in part because she wanted to honor the legacy of her father, Dr. Samuel L. Kountz, who excelled at performing kidney transplants. Dr. Kountz was instrumental in advancing the cause of organ donation and transportation in the United States.

Ellen presenting the biography of Dr. Samuel L. Kountz
© Jean-Marc Cresson
Beginning her presentation with a quiz, Ellen asked the audience to select the date (out of four possibilities) that Black History Month began and the person who was responsible for its inception. She then went on to present the biographies of several African Americans from antebellum times to the present that were notably accomplished in science or technology. Some of the persons featured were Benjamin Banneker, Madam C. J. Walker, Granville T. Woods, Mae Jemison, and Norma Merrick Sklarek. The insights and anecdotal information that she shared about each of her subjects were poignant, sometimes ironic, and always inspirational.

Senior Pastor Reverend Scott Herr attended the event and shared a story about an African-American geneticist who is currently a member of the congregation of the American Church. It served as a reminder that often, African Americans in the sciences are working quietly, without fanfare, and are making significant and far-reaching contributions to science and medicine.

As well as addressing the general public on Friday night, Ellen gave her presentation to the Youth Group and the African Fellowship at the American Church. Encouraged by the interest that other organizations have shown in the talk, she is making plans for presentations at the American Library in Paris and the American Library in Nancy during Black History Month in 2013.

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