The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man

A gifted musician’s decision to navigate society as a white man causes an internal debate about anti-blackness and the explicit nature of intent versus impact. James Weldon Johnson presents a distinct conflict driven by a person’s desires and overwhelming fear.

The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man follows the story of an unnamed narrator and his unique experience as a fair-skinned Black person. As a child, he is initially unaware of his race, but his mother soon clarifies their family’s ancestry. The young man’s ability to pass for white allows him to negate the harsh and discriminatory treatment most Black people face. This leads to a series of events that significantly shape the way he views his place in society.

James Weldon Johnson delivers a captivating tale of identity politics in the U.S. and abroad. The main character is living a life of omission that provides public gain at a personal cost. This story maintains its relevance as a critical examination of race in society.

With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man is both modern and readable.

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James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938) was an African American poet, composer and civil rights activist during the Harlem Renaissance. He was raised in the South and educated at Atlanta University where he received a bachelor’s degree. Johnson was a multitalented figure in and outside of the Black community. Over the course of his illustrious career he worked as a principal, lawyer, and a United States consul for President Theodore Roosevelt. He was also a leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and helped compose "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the Black national anthem.