Notes of a Native Son

In the essay "Notes of a Native Son," James Baldwin talked about the relationship with his father as well as the issue of blacks and whites. Baldwin states that his father was a very bitter man he lived and died in an intolerable bitterness. In addition, he never had any sort of relationship with his father. He even said at one point that he felt that he hated his father. His father was never nice to him or any of his children. When Baldwin was a young boy he feared him and never was excited when he would come home. When his father died Baldwin had no expression he was even drunk at his father’s funeral.

Furthermore, when Baldwin was in high school his warned him about his white friends and how white people should not to be trusted. His father also said to Baldwin that white people would do anything to keep a black person down. Although his father did warn his Baldwin did not really listen or think it was true until he went to a restaurant and was denied service because of his color. He became to hate white people and almost came close to murdering. At his funeral when a man was giving a speech about his father he talked about what a great man he was and all the good things his father was. That is when everything unfolded.

In conclusion, he realized that his hatred towards him and his father was the same hatred towards blacks and whites. He realized all the little things his father did for them and how proud his father was when he was a young preacher. He states that people matter, life matters, but the color of the skin does not matter. Hatred could destroy so much and never failed to destroy man who hated. That was what Baldwin stated it was an unchallengeable law.

Reflection on "Plaits"

I enjoyed reading “Plaits,” by Frankie Lennon because it can teach us a lesson. I also liked how the author was very descriptive. It gave me a picture in my mind while reading the story. I was able to relate to how the author felt. I think as we grow up we all encounter problems that makes us take matters in our hands and end up making things worse for ourselves. This story reminds me of when I was in second grade there was a boy that made me cry. It makes me laugh every time I look back.

The boy who made me cry was very annoying and rude to everyone, he would always get in trouble and would made kids cry. When I was little I had a lot of baby hairs I hated them but it never bother me so much until this little boy made it obvious. I remember it was during recess we were playing handball and we were standing in line when he noticed my baby hairs he started making fun of me and pointing and laughing. Soon everyone started laughing then out of no where he decided it would be funny to pull on them. I started crying and ran to my teacher and told what he did to me. He was given detention for two days.

Even though he was unable to play that still didn’t give me any satisfaction I was hurt so I went home got some scissors and cut my baby hairs. I started crying even more because I looked horrible. My mom saw and got mad at me but she didn’t do anything to make it better, so she left me that way so I could learn my lesson. The kids made fun of me even more, so my mom finally cut bangs to cover them. So in a way I cooked my own goose.

Meditations III: Sappho's Daughter

In Adventures of a Maverick Author I liked “Meditations III: Sappho's Daughter” because I have many friend that went through the same problems. I liked that the author was aware that being lesbian was not the reason that she had an alcohol problem, but that fear was. I believe that it takes a lot of courage to admit our wrong doings and I liked that the author had courage to admit hers. What also caught my attention was that the author makes the reader becomes aware that we sometimes tend to blame others for our mistakes and have a hard time accepting them. I believe that is the case for everyone including myself because we never want to blame ourselves or admit that we are wrong. I addition, any one that reads this can learn from what the author wrote.
Link: http://frankielennon.blogspot.com/2007/06/meditations-iii-sapphos-daughter.html

Meditations V: April 1st

In Adventures of a Maverick Author I liked “Meditation V: April 1st”, because I liked the fact that the author talks about the canvass and how she is made up of a rainbow. I think we are all made up different colors and that is what makes who we are. In addition, I like that the author talked about how alcohol was her “universal solution to everything,” and later in her blog she writes how A.A. helped her overcome her addiction. Also, she gave us advice on how we should learn from our feelings because they make us who we are, how we see things, and what is important to us. I really liked what she had to say about her situation because I can learn from it.
Link: http://frankielennon.blogspot.com/search?q=+Meditations+V%3A+April+1st

My choice writing exercise

There where many things that changed as I grew and sometimes I wish I could go back and experience them once more. Sometimes I wish that moments could last forever even though that is impossible. I miss having Christmas dinner at my aunt's house and playing with my cousins now we are all grown up and hardly talk to one another. We also stopped having Christmas at my aunts house now I do not really see her. I also miss my dog Missy she was the best dog I ever had. I remember when my parents would let us sleep in the back yard and Missy would always sleep at the door of our tent to protect us. Now she is gone and I will never see her again all I have are those memories of her and I will never have another pet like her. I miss my high school Avid friends because I never see them they are off doing there own thing at different colleges. I remember when we were in class we always laughed at Mr. Mora because he would get so mad that at one point it would be funny. That made him even more mad. I remember our last day of school we all went to the beach and stayed there all day. I remember this boy named Jose Martini and how he agreed to let us bury him in the sand because no one wanted to do it. I wish I could go back to that day it was the funnest I have ever had. What I really miss is last year even though my roommate is still here I still miss everyone else because no one came back to this school. I miss having those long nights when we would dance and video tape one another and watch them later to laugh at them. I also miss getting ready for the club and how we all would fight for the mirrors even though there were four. I miss going ice skating for Christmas. I miss going to the beach to hang out and having dinner together. That was always a good time. Now all these events and situations in my life are gone, but I will never forget how much they meant to me.

The ups and downs of writing

In some cases writing can be pleasant and for others it can be frightening. To me writing is both frightening and pleasant. Some of the reasons that writing can be pleasant are when I am familiar with the writing topic that I am assigned. For instance, some of my professors might assign a topic such as write about a memorial event in your life. Since the topic is about something I can recall I am able to write about the subject without getting off topic. I also enjoy writing poetry, letters, and my thoughts. Whenever I am feeling upset or sad I write my feelings on paper, which always helps me. Writing is enjoyable when it is something I like talking about, otherwise it is difficult. On the other hand, writing can be frightening because sometimes I do not understand the writing assignment. This usually leads to me not making sense. In addition, I am afraid of making mistakes in grammar, not being clear, or going off topic. Issues like these always run through my mind as I write. Overall, writing can be frightening, but for the most part I enjoy it.