After reading the writing selections by Liebling, I have the say the one that spoke to me most was “Back Where I came From.” Not only was the piece well-crafted, it was also eloquently written. Liebling uses language in a way that draws in readers. He paints the picture of Harlem without sounding overly flowery and disingenuous.

My favorite line is at the very beginning of the reading, when he says

“With the exception of a couple of white women who have married colored men and of three Chinese laundrymen who sleep behind their shops, all the 3,824 residents in the block are Negroes.”

This line thoroughly describes Harlem in a nutshell. The integration of statistics (3,824 residents) adds credibility to the piece and shows readers that Liebling knows exactly what he is talking about. He is not just a passerby. He is much more than that.

Liebling also describes Harlem in various angles, which makes him even more of an intriguing writer. For example, he mentions both the poorest and richest areas of Harlem. He describes the discrepancy, which shows that Harlem is more than meets the eye.

Liebling is a very inspirational writer. His use of language and words is incredibly intriguing and makes readers want more.