Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin

Notes of a Native Son
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This narrative was written in the first person concerning James Baldwin life. It begins right from the time he lived with his family in a ghetto residence known as Harlem. It was during the difficult times; there were movements for equal rights in America (Baldwin, 2017). Baldwin states from the beginning that he had a bad relationship with his father due to how he brought him up. His father had hated the whites due to the segregation at that time, and the hate found its way to Baldwin’s life years later after the death of his father. Thus, this essay reflects on the racism at that time, and it is right to state that intended audience of the piece was the whites.
The essay narrates how he quickly befriended white people therefore as a youth; he never shared the hate his father had towards the white people. He did not feel the racism. He tries to explain how he never shared the antipathy with his father towards the whites, but after having a fast hand experience when Baldwin moved to New Jersey, his views changed after he realized the problem with racism (Baldwin, 2017). His belief in the first place shows that he had no problem relating to the whites in the beginning. It even stands out with the bare relationship with his father caused by the hate he felt for the white folk. The father was also a priest for that matter. He accomplishes to give the reasons why he then felt the pains of racism.
James had gone with a friend at a restaurant, but the waiter would not serve them since he was black.

This poor treatment as he was a minority made him develop the bitterness that his father had. His father’s pain is illustrated, “he was certainly the most bitter man I have ever met” (Baldwin, 2017). The experience made him critical of the country, as he loved America despite it all. He concludes by stating “an honest man and a good writer” is what he strives for (Baldwin, 2017).
Reference
Baldwin, J. (2017). Notes of a native son.