Baldwin describes his friendship with Norman Mailer and his frustration with Mailer’s move into politics. The two men were quite different. Their race, religion, and backgrounds stood at opposite ends of the spectrum. However, Baldwin explains that the two had one important quality in common: they both believed themselves to be the toughest and most intelligent person in the room. This made their discussions lively and difficult to navigate.

Over time, their friendship dwindled. Mailer wrote a critique of Baldwin in which he argues that Baldwin was unable to say “F--- you” to the reader. When Baldwin asked Mailer why he wrote it, the Jewish writer replied that he wrote it because he felt it was true.

When Baldwin learned that Mailer moved into politics, he was upset. He felt that Mailer was a talented writer and that moving to another career was a denial of his identity. Baldwin believes the world needs artists who are bold and brave and hold tightly to a vision of a better future.