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This quiz is based somewhat on the "Nothing Personal" essay you read for today, but...not entirely. It's designed as all Buzzfeed quizzes are...with a questionable algorithm and fun/interesting questions that don't seem to have anything to do with the ultimate result. However, that RESULT is what will relate directly to the essay itself, and toward the idea of being a citizen in this country. After you complete the quiz, you'll pop into some breakout rooms to discuss your results and why you believe you got them, then we'll come back together as a full group to dissect things even further and talk more about the essay itself :). Go forth...and ANSWER!!!

Which Of James Baldwin's Attitudes About American Society Are You?

Which photo of NYC most draws your attention at the moment?

Which of these musical artists do you prefer? (if you don't know any, that's what youtube is for...)

Which Amanda Gorman quote resonates most with you? 

What kind of snack would sustain you right now? 

Which James Baldwin quote do you most resonate with at this moment? 

You are Optimistic Baldwin. You believe we have potential as a country, as a society, but only if we work hard, turn inward, turn toward truth. You know that love is the answer. You also know that love is the most complex relationship, whether it's self love or love of others, yet it's only with love that we can, if we so choose, survive. It is time to ACT! Let's protest! Let's teach! Let's talk, sing, preach, shout to the masses!

You are Optimistic Baldwin

You are Critical Thinking Baldwin. You understand happiness and connection is dependent upon self examination and individual empowerment, not external validation. You also also understand that self examination and individual empowerment is dependent on true societal equity. Without equity as the backdrop, we only examine ourselves and realize our strength and power in relation to that of others' (or their lack). Conversely...you ALSO understand that at this point, societal equity requires self-examination, but many Americans are unable to examine their own experiences and history closely, for fear of exposing their feelings of identity power as illusions. Man. What a pickle. Sometimes being a critical thinker sucks, even though it's the initial pathway toward change.

You are Critical Thinking Baldwin

Wow. Are Americans ever robots, or what? Evil robots, at that. The American Dream has been forced into a fantasy by quick fixes, the possibility of living forever, of remaining young, of glittery sexiness, of sparkly smiles that don't exist in real life.  After all, "who, without the most tremendous coercion, coercion indistinguishable from despair, would ever have crossed the frightening ocean to come to this desolate place?" of violence and blindness and denial of reality, preferring the myth instead. And what's WORSE is that the myth controls our lives. The myth of perfection, of ultimate power, which only leaves us constantly in despair and striving for something that doesn't exist. And what's even WORSE is that "the very nature of the myth that those who are its victims and, at the same time, its perpetrators...are rendered unable to examine the myth" and realize its control over us. We are so screwed. Does anyone have any cake? Booze? A bag of chips? A playlist of depressing songs? Anything I can drown my sorrows in?

You are Cynical Baldwin (but you still have a squishy heart)

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Which Of James Baldwin's Attitudes About American Society Are You?

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Which Of James Baldwin's Attitudes About American Society Are You?

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