James Baldwin's "Notes on a Native Son" tells the story of his life from childhood up to an adult. Ever since he was a young boy, Baldwin has gone through different stages of development1 just trying to get through his life troubled with racism. I believe Baldwin fully understands the hate that racism has brought him, but just hasn't found a way to rid such a great hatred from his heart.
             Baldwin's childhood was tough. Though his father was physically there he really wasn't there. His children didn't know him as a father, but rather someone who is "hating and fearing every living soul including his children. (3)." Baldwin's father wasn't only mad at people in general; he had an extreme hatred for white people. Even when the white school teacher, who Baldwin's mother gave the highest regard, helped them for years, his father still couldn't make himself trust her. His father also pushed young Baldwin away from his white friends. He claimed, "Whites would do anything to keep a Negro down (5)."
             A year before his father's death, Baldwin moved to New Jersey. His rough life only continued when he saw first hand that whites were very racist towards all Negro's living there. He realized that "one was never looked at, but was simply at the mercy of the reflexes the color of one's skin caused other people (5)." On Baldwin's fourth visit to a local restaurant he finally understood the great burden of the Jim Crow laws. Baldwin realized the restaurant he was attending was not one in which he was used to. "Negro's were not served there (5)." This wasn't the only place in New Jersey that was under the Jim Crow law. No matter where he went, Baldwin says, "I was always being forced to leave (5)." White people were starting to get to Baldwin now. The hate in his heart was only growing stronger. C
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