The Autobiography of an ExColored Man James Weldon Johnson 9781613824153 Books
Download As PDF : The Autobiography of an ExColored Man James Weldon Johnson 9781613824153 Books
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man By James Weldon Johnson
The Autobiography of an ExColored Man James Weldon Johnson 9781613824153 Books
'The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man' is not a real memoir or non-fiction. It is a fictionalized autobiography written in 1912. Despite that it is fiction, it has a strong feel of true authenticity. What is truly wondrous and sad about the book is how the questions, disputes and agonies over race in 1912 have little changed since this novel was written.The narrator's story is a coming-of-age one. He experiences unusual adventures because although his mother was a light-skinned black, he himself looks completely white. He describes his birth, education and travels throughout America and Europe. Sometimes he lives like a wealthy white man with wealthy white men, and sometimes he endures the poverty and discrimination of Southern American blacks. He also lived for a time amongst the criminal elements of New York City. His white skin allows him to move freely wherever he chooses, depending on what identity he wants to explore. He is fortunate to be a musical prodigy and he easily learns languages.
The crisis begins when he falls in love with a white woman...
Product details
|
Tags : The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man [James Weldon Johnson] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man By James Weldon Johnson,James Weldon Johnson,The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man,Simon & Brown,1613824157,Biographies & Memoirs Biographies,FICTION Classics
People also read other books :
- The Wreck of the Titan The Titanic Disaster April 15 1912 9781542453288 Jürgen Prommersberger Morgan Robertson Books
- BenHur A tale of the Christ Lewis Wallace 9781374831377 Books
- Switching Heads eBook Tom Sullivan
- Rise the Moon Stephen Leal Jackson 9781457516023 Books
- Tales of a Pathfinder Classic Reprint A L Westgard 9781332203062 Books
The Autobiography of an ExColored Man James Weldon Johnson 9781613824153 Books Reviews
I think I was supposed to read this in High School or College but did not. This is a must read and helps shed light on many of the problems that continue to pleague our society today.
Ignoring the social commentary, this is just a well written “page turner,” I did not want to stop listening!
If you are new to this book, do not read any reviews or analysis until after you read the book which is what I did so I had no preconcieved notions about the characters.
To have the choice of choosing which "race" you'd rather be regardless of the neglected dna crying within to be recognized, to be respected comes easy for some while for others a difficult position to make that choice to fit in with what's convenient or to give honor to or the acknowledging of self hate. I wouldn't want to be in that position to save my life. I come from this history, I've heard the why it's important to pass or marry light damn-near-white and I've seen the arrogance and the fear of being found out that one is of the dna that would be frowned upon by the masses. He was born in the era where he literally saw the atrocities put upon the colored folks, the poverty and the classes, yet he made the decision to go the way he thought would bring some sense of satisfaction and to ease his conscience .... nevertheless beautifully written.
I chose 5 stars for a number of reasons. The first is the joy of reading a beautifully crafted and honest piece of writing. The poetic style elevated the narrative which is another reason for my rating. I appreciated the complex description of the perceptions of colored and whiteness versus the actual state of both groups of people. Third, the author introduced new and important nuances defying the stereotypical way of understanding history. He negated commonly held beliefs for both the white and the Negro and invited the reader into an honest and intimate exploration of personal and communal identity. Fourth, I believe this is a necessary resource for addressing the "negro question", a reference made by the author to what, why, and how to make progress in racial tolerance and human regard. Finally, I appreciate that this autobiography did not end as a spectacular tragedy or happy ending. There was no cleverly crafted moral statement. The account stands on it's own and from it I take many lessons to apply to my own consideration of white and colored, the cultural biases, and what role do I play in the continuing of history.
James Weldon Johnson first published this book anonymously in 1912, to avoid any controversy that might endanger his diplomatic career. And it is actually not an autobiography, but rather historical fiction.
As he wrote this book anonymously, he created characters who were also anonymous. Of all the dozens of characters in the story there were only about four who had names, some of them nick-names. Even the young man who tells his story has no name.
Much of the story draws from Johnson's personal life as a Civil Rights activist. But unlike Johnson who Attended Atlanta University, the protagonist in the story spent many years in a variety of jobs where he learned various trades and several foreign languages.
Not until the "Ex-colored man" returns to the South knowing he could pass for white, did he begin to deal with the "race problem." But rather than involve himself in the issues of racism, Jim Crow, and the rights of black people, he spent much of his time learning the music and vernacular of the early 20th century.
It is an easy book to read, probably moreso due to the anonymous characterizations which would not point to the identity of the author.
'The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man' is not a real memoir or non-fiction. It is a fictionalized autobiography written in 1912. Despite that it is fiction, it has a strong feel of true authenticity. What is truly wondrous and sad about the book is how the questions, disputes and agonies over race in 1912 have little changed since this novel was written.
The narrator's story is a coming-of-age one. He experiences unusual adventures because although his mother was a light-skinned black, he himself looks completely white. He describes his birth, education and travels throughout America and Europe. Sometimes he lives like a wealthy white man with wealthy white men, and sometimes he endures the poverty and discrimination of Southern American blacks. He also lived for a time amongst the criminal elements of New York City. His white skin allows him to move freely wherever he chooses, depending on what identity he wants to explore. He is fortunate to be a musical prodigy and he easily learns languages.
The crisis begins when he falls in love with a white woman...
0 Response to "⋙ [PDF] The Autobiography of an ExColored Man James Weldon Johnson 9781613824153 Books"
Post a Comment