The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man

Description

The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man is a novel written by American writer and civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson, first published in 1912. The book is a fictional autobiography that explores the life and experiences of an unnamed narrator who is of mixed race, known as the Ex-Colored Man. The novel takes readers on a journey through the narrator's life as he grapples with his racial identity. Born to a black mother and a white father, he can pass as white due to his light skin. He faces the choice of embracing his African American heritage or living as a white man to avoid the racism and discrimination faced by black people in the early 20th century. Throughout the book, the narrator experiences various aspects of American society, including the worlds of music, race relations, and love, as he navigates the complexities of identity and the social expectations of the time. The novel offers a thought-provoking exploration of race, identity, and the choices people make in a racially divided society, making it a significant work in African American literature.

This book has 51,909 words, 74 pages in the PDF version, and was originally published in 1912.

Production notes: This ebook of The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man was published by Global Grey on the 6th November 2023. The artwork used for the cover is 'At the Castle Gate' by Ferdinand Knab.