On March 10, 2025, I submitted my thesis at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. The full title of the thesis is “James Baldwin & The Hebrew Prophets: An Examination of Prophetic Theology, Rhetoric, & Poetry.” Over the course of the year, I studied intensely the works of James Baldwin and the texts of several of the Hebrew Prophets and put them into conversation together. The result is a paper that explores prophetic voice, purpose, and strategy, connecting texts and individuals millennia apart.
It’s been an incredible experience working on this project over the last year. As we witness the state of our world right now, the prophetic words of our tradition and of Baldwin have kept me steady, focused, and even hopeful.
Dear Jimmy – thank you for your power, passion, and love. May you always rest in peace and power, and may your name always be for a blessing and a revolution.
Evan Traylor 