The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
About the book
What does it mean to live between two worlds—seen, yet unseen?
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man is a powerful and provocative novel by James Weldon Johnson, chronicling the life of a mixed-race man in early 20th-century America. Born to a Black mother and a wealthy white father, the unnamed narrator struggles with racial identity, privilege, love, and the haunting decision to «pass» as white in a segregated society ⚖.
Blending memoir-style realism with philosophical depth, Johnson's work is one of the earliest and most influential explorations of the African-American experience, colorism, and internalized conflict. It remains deeply relevant to modern conversations on race, class, and visibility.
This annotated edition includes historical context, discussion questions, and footnotes—ideal for classrooms, book clubs, and readers seeking deeper understanding of America's racial past .
"A bold, pioneering narrative… both deeply personal and socially explosive." – The New York Times
"Essential reading in the canon of American race and identity." – NPR
Click Buy Now to explore the emotional and cultural complexity of passing in a divided world.
