[1][2][3] Norberto James Rawlings was born on the sugar plantation of Ingenio Consuelo, San Pedro de Macorís, and grew up in an English-speaking minority community descended from African slaves, known pejoratively as cocolos by the Spanish-speaking Dominicans.
His early years were marked by daily struggles as well as exposure to American culture in an impoverished cocolo village of sugar cane workers.
His mother, Dolores Rawlings left the country (coming to New York) and he joined the rebel forces of the Command located in the Argentine school.
In 1979, James returned to a changed political climate in the Dominican Republic, where he was awarded a powerful position on the National Energy Policy Commission.
James decided to settle down and start a family; he married Luz Altagracia Rodríguez and in a short time had two daughters, Malva Mariana and Ruth Esther.
Dr. Norberto James ended his teaching career as a beloved Spanish teacher at the Boston Latin School, where his students affectionately called him "Dr.