[In this profound reflection, Baldwin explores a fundamental aspect of human existence—the inevitable reality of death—and how human beings, especially in the context of racial and cultural identities, construct barriers to face this truth. The emphasis on life's tragic nature underscores a universal truth—that mortality is an unalterable and inescapable part of life. Baldwin criticizes society's tendency to erect symbols, beliefs, and divisions—such as totems, taboos, religious symbols, and national flags—that serve as defenses against confronting mortality. For white Americans, this denial manifests in the refusal to grapple honestly with racial realities, especially concerning Black lives and histories. Baldwin suggests that these societal constructs act as imprisonments, hindering genuine acknowledgment and understanding of life's transient nature. When we deny death's certainty, we also deny a vital aspect of our humanity, which leads to suffering, misunderstanding, and division. confronting mortality head-on can foster humility, compassion, and authentic connections among people. Baldwin's message reminds us that embracing mortality may be the key to liberating ourselves from superficial divisions and achieving a more truthful, compassionate life—where we accept life’s tragic beauty and the inevitable end that unites all of humanity. This perspective invites us to reflect on how societal and personal barriers obstruct truth and how recognition of life's fleetingness can become a source of freedom and empathy—the courage to accept life’s full reality, including its end, as the path to genuine human existence.