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The essay expands upon the role that race has played throughout American history. Underlying everything within American politics and life is the race issue, or "negro question." American Industry and agriculture was built on the backs of slaves who were stolen from their own country and treated as subpar human beings in the country they were forcibly placed into. He compares his nephew's place and time to those born into deplorable conditions described by Charles Dickens a hundred years ago in London. "Now, my dear namesake, these innocent and well-meaning people, your countrymen, have caused you to be born under conditions not very far removed from those described for us by Charles Dickens in London of more than a hundred years ago" (Baldwin, 20). The keywords he uses describes countrymen as "well meaning" and "innocent." The racial issue is one of the most temper-fueled discussions in our history. People are angry and charged on both ends of the spectrum. Yet, in the same spirit as Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi, Baldwin warns again animosity towards specific individuals. The racial problems then, are there due to the happenstance of history, and looking forward in a spirit of solidarity is the only way that Baldwin thinks progress can be made. .
Baldwin wants his nephew to know how to "handle" the "well meaning" countrymen, many of which "don't know [he] exists" (Baldwin, 20). He hopes that his nephew realizes that he will not be able to rely on the government to help him, he can only help himself, work from his corner of the world to mend historical wrongs, and not let him get swept up in rage over this. This seems a realistic approach to dealing with the problem. The problem of racial issues is such that it will not be resolved in a generation. How to go upon an imperfect reality, yet live a worthwhile life that makes a difference is the approach that Baldwin takes.
