From all the essays of James Baldwin, Notes of a Native Son reflects the experiences of his own life. Being African American not only made it difficult to deal with society, but with his relationship with his father as well. In the essay, Baldwin relates his relationship with his father to the relationship between black and white America.
Throughout the essay, Baldwin explains how he and his father did not have a close relationship. Since his father passed away, Baldwin begins to reminisce of all his negative memories with his father and the actions he had done. Baldwin does not take the time to realize all the good things his father has accomplished or at least attempted to. This results in a love and hate relationship.
Therefore, Baldwin did not take the time to recognize his own father as a good person because of society. Society was very cruel to his father and it lead for Baldwin to take out his bitterness and hatred toward his father. Just how his relationship with his father was revolved with hatred, this is how it relates to the relationship between blacks and whites of America during 1943. Blacks and whites only think of each other based on the wrong actions they have done onto each other and do not realize the good that is within both cultures. At the end of the novel, Baldwin discovered his father’s thoughts. The thought of acceptance of life and men as they are, and the idea of equal power to everyone in society. This is how the relationship between Baldwin and his father relate to the blacks and whites of America.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Talking Pretty
Reading novels, essays and journals about real life experiences allows me to reflect and relate my personal occurrences with others. In the essay "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris, the author shares a significant part of his life. He elaborates on his experience of living in Paris and his struggles in learning to speak the native language of France, French. This allowed me to relate his life experience to my own.
I admire the author as he continues his education despite his cruel teacher that mentally and physically abuses her students, and the fact that he has no friend or colleague to bond with. He never gave up until he "talked pretty" or understood the language of French. Although I may not have struggled with learning another language, I can still relate to David Sedaris when I struggled with learning Algebra II.
Unlike other students, it took me time and effort to understand Algebra II my senior year of high school. Unfortunately, my teacher was not the greatest and my time management was limited. Luckily, I had a great colleague who took her time to explain to me the concepts of math, over and over again until I understood some of the material. Although I did not understand all of Algebra II, I was enlightened with fact that I learned the basics. Just how the author was glad to understand French, not necessarily speak it fluently, I was glad to understand the basics of Algebra II. This is how I relate my struggles with David Sinclair occurrence.
I admire the author as he continues his education despite his cruel teacher that mentally and physically abuses her students, and the fact that he has no friend or colleague to bond with. He never gave up until he "talked pretty" or understood the language of French. Although I may not have struggled with learning another language, I can still relate to David Sedaris when I struggled with learning Algebra II.
Unlike other students, it took me time and effort to understand Algebra II my senior year of high school. Unfortunately, my teacher was not the greatest and my time management was limited. Luckily, I had a great colleague who took her time to explain to me the concepts of math, over and over again until I understood some of the material. Although I did not understand all of Algebra II, I was enlightened with fact that I learned the basics. Just how the author was glad to understand French, not necessarily speak it fluently, I was glad to understand the basics of Algebra II. This is how I relate my struggles with David Sinclair occurrence.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Change
Change. Change can mean a lot of things for many people. At this point of my life, change is occurring everywhere around me. I've transitioned from high school to college, I am reading Coffee Makes You Black which deals with an individuals' internal changes, and most importantly our country voted for the first African American to be President as a change.
I'm beginning to realize there is a new meaning for change. Change that deals with not only an individuals' personal growth, but as society grows together and becomes wiser and more open to new opportunities and changes. I feel I have really developed my sense of character this year as I am living independently without my parents making the choices for me. Presently, it is now my decision to wake up in the mornings and go to class, it is now my decision to eat healthy and exercise to stay in shape and now it is my decision to make a change in society by voting who I believe will serve our country best as President. While I deal with my own personal transformation, our world is changing as well, specifically our country. Our country is suffering from war and economic issues. As I voted for our next president and the propositions I believe would improve our country, these severe issues is what I mainly focused on. Although voting Barack Obama does not mean that change will occur instantly, or over a month, over a year or even in our lifetime, I believe I was a part of a step to achieve this change we all dream of.
I'm beginning to realize there is a new meaning for change. Change that deals with not only an individuals' personal growth, but as society grows together and becomes wiser and more open to new opportunities and changes. I feel I have really developed my sense of character this year as I am living independently without my parents making the choices for me. Presently, it is now my decision to wake up in the mornings and go to class, it is now my decision to eat healthy and exercise to stay in shape and now it is my decision to make a change in society by voting who I believe will serve our country best as President. While I deal with my own personal transformation, our world is changing as well, specifically our country. Our country is suffering from war and economic issues. As I voted for our next president and the propositions I believe would improve our country, these severe issues is what I mainly focused on. Although voting Barack Obama does not mean that change will occur instantly, or over a month, over a year or even in our lifetime, I believe I was a part of a step to achieve this change we all dream of.
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