The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man (Penguin Twentieth Century Classics) Review
A powerful little novel, packs a lot of substantive issues into a tight and thoughtful narrative.
There are three main things this work tackles:
1] Exploration of racist conditions in early 20th century United States. Quiet but potent, such a scenario inevitably causes us to what's shifted from this account, and then what hasn't. For a portion of the book this issue seemed almost too light, too much a matter of verbal prejudice rather than more fundamental realities--but it came full force near the ending, with a vivid narration of a lynching.
2] Debate concerning such racism. Here the work is less succesful, and seems to a greater extent dated and less useful. The larger approach is credible enough but the exploration of racism as a component of southern pride and regional nationalism feels incomplete. The arguments analyzed here are major racist tenets, but they don't get at some of major overlapping motifs behind abhorrence. Even more deficient are the counter arguments against racist definitions of blacks and black culture. The intent is certainly laudable, but the actual speeches given--largely pointing to black music as a self-evident sign of accomplishment rather than degradation--miss a lot and close the book on assessment in a way I doubt was applicable even in the author's time.
3] Attempted opting out of this issue. This element is where the book shines, showing the systemically inhumane treatment of blacks, and the ambivalent and muddled human response to this. Faced with long odds and no prospects of racial equality, the protagonist chooses--as the title indicates--to pass as white and give up efforts for a wider struggle. Not an heroic choice, but eminently understandable, and puts a far more tangible face on the many characters real and fictional who did sacrifice deeply in a question for human justice.
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man (Penguin Twentieth Century Classics) Feature
- ISBN13: 9780140184020
- Condition: New
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The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man (Penguin Twentieth Century Classics) Overview
Johnson, the first black executive of the NAACP and an active civil-rights campaigner, provides an autobiographical account of living as a white man, although by heritage and experience he is an African American. He is also the author of "God's Trombones" and "Along This Way".
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Customer Reviews
Should be required reading in school - Nocturnal - San Francisco
For a long time I've often wondered why anyone would want to be white (not being one myself). I never had the desire. I know what it feels like to be discriminated against simply because of my ethnicity. These days, there are so many people of mixed blood, and yet a person with one white parent and one black parent is still considered black, always wondered why. This book doesn't explain that but it brings up a lot of things to think about. And it might start a serious, deep discussion about what it actually means to be white, or to be black, etc., why must we categorized our ethnicity? He doesn't make excuses for himself, he doesn't shift the blame to anyone but himself. He takes full responsibility for what happens to himself. Which is refreshing. And you can understand why he chooses what he does in the end (especially given the time period the book was written in). I ended up feeling sad that he has given up half of who he is, half of his own history, half of his ancestry, and that his kids will miss out on that delight too. I still don't understand that mental problem people about one drop of non-white blood excludes you from being considered white, just makes no sense to me. Blood is blood. And these days, if you've ever had a transfusion, you might be getting blood for some other race. Anyway, the book brings up some good things to think about, to talk about, to explore a little further with people not of your own race just to see from their perspective.
Everything was great ! - Stephanie Thomas - Virginia
This product I received it in a timely matter. The book was in perfect condition. The only thing I do not like is the print is VERY small so it makes two pages seem like a whole chapter. I don't know if it is just that edition, but the print is small. It seems interesting so far so hopefully I can get through it. Great product. Lovely story.
Autobiography of An Ex-Colored Man Review - Kelly Sage - IN
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man is a insightful and captivating story that examines and explores what race relations in the early twentieth century where like. It is told though the eyes of a biracial man as he sets out on a journey across the world to find his self identity and place in the world. My favorite thing about the book was that when the main character travels around the world. The locations and people have such lively and colorful descriptions they almost seemed real.
The book was written in 1912 by James Weldon Johnson who wrote the book as if it was a factual biography. The story never really happened, but is written with such great detail and depth it feels like could have happened. This book is a must read for anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction.
Mrs. Sage's Class
Greg
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Sep 06, 2010 13:55:04
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