Writer Hisham Matar on James Baldwin’s Patience

Notes from America with Kai Wright

In the 10th episode of “Notes on a Native Son,” host Razia Iqbal sits down with writer and former architect Hisham Matar. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his profound and painful memoir, “The Return,” which chronicles his return to Libya after the overthrow of Colonel Gaddafi. Gaddafi had his father Jaballa kidnapped and thrown into jail, never to be seen again. This has haunted Matar's life and work, an overshadowing that he has transformed into books of extraordinary power and beauty.

For this episode, Matar speaks with Iqbal about one of Baldwin’s profound television appearances in which Baldwin breaks down the foundational flaws of America’s racial hierarchy. Matar says Baldwin’s calm and patient demeanor on the program strengthens his powerful arguments, making it an even more compelling watch.

Matar teaches at Barnard College in New York. His first novel was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and his third novel was longlisted for the same prize.

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Notes from America airs live on Sundays at 6 p.m. ET. The podcast episodes are lightly edited from our live broadcasts.