The story "Sonny's Blues" is about two brothers who fight against racism. In facing their problems, they both suffer and survive in their family and community. Their stories have a strong impact on their character and how they deal with their pain. Sonny chooses a more damaging means of racism, such as heroin addiction; although he finds a better choice of music! The narrator's older brother, James Baldwin, goes to college to become a teacher and give back to his Harlem community. The narrator rises above the suffering and difficulties associated with his attempt to integrate into white society. Sonny and the narrator find different ways to deal with their racism. Even though both brothers take different paths in their lives, and in the end they feel true to themselves, follow your dreams! Sonny tries to escape racism with his music, but his brother feels he needs better ways to support himself (99). He tries to make James understand: he replies that there is no way not to suffer, it is not better than just accepting it. (105) Sonny seeks ways to combat drug use; he even enters the service. He struggles with his suffering and tries to escape the ghetto, but drugs seem to be the way he fits into his struggling society, so he becomes a member of society. His realistic method of dealing with his pain and suffering is to sell and use heroin; hence, he ends up in prison. While incarcerated, he began working on his music, and upon his release he would have a career. During his time in prison, the blues seems to be the music he can relate to, and it helps ease his pain and suffering. Sonny realizes that music has a much greater impact on his life than his heroin addiction. Music has always been in the middle of paper... the civil rights movement. This story presents different aspects of the brothers' lives and how they chose to deal with racism. The story also tells us how the two brothers resolve their racism issues and form a relationship again. Sonny initially struggles with his racism, he leaves school, enters the service, dabbles in drugs, spends time in prison, and finally he finds his outlet with music. He believes that the blues represent the way in which black Americans experience their suffering and the problems they encounter in white society. Unlike Sonny, James takes a calmer way of living in a racist world and that was his teaching. Music is what finally brings the brothers together and helps them deal with racism during this time. Both brothers believe that no matter what difficulties we endure in life, always be true to yourself and follow your dreams.: 1009