GO TELL IT ON A MOUNTAIN by James Baldwin

SO I had to look up James Baldwin as I have never read any of his books, he is also a poet. He was born in Harlem New York and according to Bio.com this book is somewhat autobiographical. He was born to a single woman who did not tell him his father's name just like our character John. But in the book, I believe that John truly believes that his father is the preacher who his mom married to his mom, which must really bug him when his own father does not love him. In fact we know this to be true. WHen his mother has another son by John's stepfather then he is really put on the back-burner. The preacher condemning all those around him, but living a double life of lives and deceit. Married but messing around with another woman who he sends away after he finds out she conceived a child. She dies and the baby comes to live in the town, but he does not visit him, the only poignant moment that occurs is when he tells the boy to be careful about being out in town when there is a bunch of white boys around. Then that son tragically dies without ever knowing, though it is intimated he does, know his father. After reading the description of the preacher and knowing that this is somewhat autobiographical, I feel sorry for Mr. Baldwin and hope that his step-father, who was a preacher, was not as bad as this man seems to be. I do know that the North were just as hard-lined on race issues as the South, especially in the 1950's. There is always that treatment of all races as if they are not worthy of the ground they stand on. I believe that things have changed dramatically since that time period, but do we just use other scape goats? It seems Mr. Baldwin pulled himself up and out of Harlem, eventually moving to Paris. This book is about a man's life and how he makes the decisions that will affect him the rest of his life. The turning point of changing hell into heaven. But there is a part in the end when I wonder what he means after he has watched his mother and father, where he turns to Elisha and says no matter what happens, remember I was saved, I was there. It gives me pause.