How It Feels To Be Colored Me Analysis

In 1928, writer and anthropologist, Zora Neale Hurston, writes about her life in 20th century America in “How It Feels to Be Colored Me.” This work is rendered as an important part of African American history. In her work, Hurston reflects on her childhood experiences. As a young girl she would often feel different and strange from those around her. Now as an accomplished woman, she is able to see the positives in her difficult experiences. Her work creates a realm of self-acceptance and self-respect. Hurston describes her life until the age of 13 in Eatonville, Florida an all-black town. As a young girl, Hurston portrays her innocence of not knowing the difference between white and black people. She claims that the only difference between whites and blacks was that whites always seemed to pass through town (Hurston). Hurston describes her adventurous and naive self: she would become aware of her race when all the white folks in town “liked to hear [her] speak in pieces and sing...” and they would often give her money for it. She yearned for the attention and interest from those that viewed her as different. She describes that the black townsfolk often “deplored joyful tendencies” (Hurston). Wherefore, Hurston illustrates that she was never able to fit in her own community, and especially not with the white townspeople. Hurston creates an aura of self-acceptance and self-love. Thereafter, Hurston describes the transition of her life when she moves to Jacksonville,