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The protagonists of the ongoing collective community project the AfroGreeks are creating a musical performance dedicated to Afro-American writer, essayist, playwright, and activist James Baldwin, for the 101st anniversary of his birth. They are inspired by the records Baldwin loved to listen to. Hammer Museum curator Ikechúkwú Onyewuenyi compiled a list he called Chez Baldwin, which is a Spotify playlist of records Baldwin owned. It is a 478-track, 32-hour celebration of what the author enjoyed listening to, while living in St Paulde-Vence, France.

In the 1960s, renowned author James Baldwin returns from Europe to America to join the African American movement. Two decades later, in 1979, he embarked on a complex undertaking. To tell his own version of American history through the lives of three murdered friends.

Baldwin loved music. He said he needed it to endure discrimination, abusive comments about his skin color and sexuality, and the difficulty of being an artist. He felt that black songs empowered him and became a unifying element that bridged African traditions with his life and passions today. He collected records of songs he loved. Songs that helped him write and live passionately, just as he wanted.

Greece, do you love me or not? I wake up in the morning to go to school, but I sit at the back of the class and mess around because deep down I don't feel welcome.

Greece, do you love me or not? Returning home, I wait for the subway, get in and sit next to a woman, but she gets up and leaves. Showing me in an exemplary way that I am stink.

Greece, do you love me or not? I go to the office to get a document and a birth certificate. And even though I was born and raised here, they tell me to go to my country to get those

Greece, do you love me or not? The day comes for me to visit my girlfriend's parents and the first thing her father says to his daughter about me is, "Of all the men, you had to bring him."? Greece, do you love me or not?

And finally, I return home and see my mother exhausted from the three jobs she has to do to make ends meet, She is unhappy because she doesn't know if her son will ever make it in Greece In the end, she looks me in the eyes and says "Don't give up, we didn't make it today, but don't lose faith, there is hope for tomorrow."

Greece, do you love me or not? Thank you.

Mc Yinka gives a brief explanation of the word Afro -Greek, Mc Yinka

When asked ‘’Where are you from’’, the reply can vary. Where someone is from is part of their identity. In the clip, some mention where they were born, others mention where their parents are from, others refer to where they have lived most of their lives and are specific mentioning the city as well. Others believe it’s necessary to mention both where their ancestry is from and their place of birth or would rather say they are Greek and give some context about it mentioning their ancestry, while for others, the specific location they are situated in currently (Kypseli) is part of the journey in forming their identity.

Afro - Greek