The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man - Powerful Memoir on Race & Identity in America - Perfect for Book Clubs & History Enthusiasts

The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man is an incredible book. Written in 1912, it is from author/poet James Weldon Johnson, perhaps most known for his verse sermons God’s Trombones. This book recounts the life of a fictional narrator—although some would say that narrator is very close to Johnson himself—who tells of his life from childhood to fatherhood. What we get is a powerful lesson in history, human nature, the path of the black man in American culture, and a sociological study unparalleled. Johnson’s protagonist is a keen observer of the time, able to traverse both black and white society because of his light skin color. The full impact of the title doesn’t come until late in the book, so I won’t spoil it here. Suffice it to say this is one man’s journey and the lessons learned along the way. And considering we can draw parallels to today’s social atmosphere, it is a lesson for us all.