The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man

What does it mean to choose your race in a divided world? The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man is James Weldon Johnson's powerful and groundbreaking novel, exploring the life of a biracial man navigating racial identity, class, and artistic ambition in post-Reconstruction America. With honesty and emotional depth, this semi-fictional account charts his journey from Southern schools to Harlem clubs to a life of secrecy and survival as he "passes" for white. First published anonymously in 1912, this novel is a landmark of American literature, addressing issues that remain urgently relevant today.