James Baldwin's The Discovery Of What It Means To Be An African American

“In an increasingly competitive, cautious and accelerated world, those who are willing to take risks, step out of their comfort zone and into the discomfort of uncertainty will be those who will reap the biggest rewards” (Laura Benedict). In James Baldwin’s “The Discovery of what it Means to be an American”, he reminisces on a period of six years which he then refers to as his “first youth” ending. As an American born writer, Baldwin, illustrates many of the crippling effects of staying in America including the racial stigmas that exist to an African American writer and how these attributes take away from becoming a successful writer. Although America was his birthplace, Baldwin always felt as though he was left unfulfilled and as though “…the color of [his]skin had stood between [himself] and [him]” (1). Baldwin credits his desire for self discovery as

In the frame of reference to this quote, undertaking new challenges allows us as humans to gain experience through encountering different situations and allowing ourselves to step out of what we are most comfortable in. Although it is human nature to stray from what is intimidating, In order to experience life to the fullest and be able to conquer our fears we must allow ourselves the understanding “…of the mysterious and inexorable limits of life” through participation. With embarking yourself into the unknown also comes meeting other people from differentiating social classes, and adapting to living in new environments. Baldwin “…lived in all parts of the city- on the Right Bank and the Left, among the bourgeoisie and among les misérables, and knew all kinds of people, from pimps [to] prostitutes…” (21). Allowing ourselves to experience life through the lens of other individuals opens our minds to understanding life from a different perspective which ultimately leads to self growth through