"How It Feels to Be Colored Me" is an essay written by Zora Neale Hurston, an African American author and folklorist who lived in the early 20th century. In the essay, Hurston reflects on her experiences as a black woman growing up in the United States and how her race has affected her identity and perspective on the world.
Hurston begins the essay by describing her childhood in Eatonville, Florida, a predominantly black town where she was surrounded by people of her own race and culture. She remembers feeling a sense of pride and belonging in Eatonville, where she was able to be herself without feeling constrained by the prejudices and expectations of white society.
As Hurston grows older and begins to venture outside of Eatonville, she begins to realize the limitations that her race imposes on her. She experiences discrimination and segregation, and she is often treated as a second-class citizen because of the color of her skin. Despite these challenges, Hurston remains optimistic and determined to succeed. She asserts that, as a black woman, she has been forced to be stronger and more resilient than her white counterparts, and she embraces this strength as a source of pride.
Throughout the essay, Hurston grapples with the complexities of being a black woman in a white-dominated society. She writes about the expectations placed on her by both white and black people, and how she has struggled to find her own voice and identity despite these external pressures. Hurston is candid and honest about her experiences, and she writes with a sense of vulnerability and honesty that is both moving and inspiring.
In conclusion, "How It Feels to Be Colored Me" is a powerful and thought-provoking essay that explores the challenges and triumphs of being a black woman in the United States. Through her own experiences and reflections, Hurston offers a unique and important perspective on race, identity, and the human experience.
