A Little Devil in America

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At the March on Washington in 1963, Josephine Baker, at 57, reflected on her life and legacy as she returned triumphantly to America. "I was a devil in other countries, and I was a little devil in America, too," she told the crowd. Inspired by her words, Hanif Abdurraqib delves into the profound connection between Black performance and American culture. He examines various moments in performance—such as Merry Clayton's haunting 27 seconds in "Gimme Shelter," a schoolyard fight, a dance marathon, or a game of spades—revealing their deep resonance in both Black and white cultures, the politics of the American empire, and his own experiences of love, grief, and performance. Abdurraqib’s prose is rich with jubilation and pain, echoing the lyricism of the musicians he admires. With care and generosity, he highlights the significance of performances, both grand and intimate, making them feel familiar and urgent. Filled with sharp insights, humor, and heart, the work celebrates the Black performance that unfolds in diverse moments across time and space—from midcentury Paris to the moon, and back to a cramped living room in Columbus, Ohio.