In Hattiesburg, Mississippi, John found the problems of the Negro were?

John find that his initial beliefs in regard to problems of African Americans in the community were grossly underestimated. He experienced extreme prejudice, behaviors and verbage meant to demean him, and oppression. His perception of poverty was grossly miscalculated.... conditions were worse than he believed, and in general, their communites screamed defeat.

In Hattiesburg, John is met with racial slurs and violence. He is barraged with both obscenities and fruit. Almost immediatelty, John calls Mr. East, a newspaper man, who comes and gets him.