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Zora Neale Hurston, an icon of the Harlem Renaissance and an embodiment of defiant individualism, gives us a window into her experiences as a Black woman in early 20th century America in her essay, "How It Feels to Be Colored Me." However, to regard it as merely a statement about race would be an oversimplification. This personal reflection is an exploration of identity, individuality, and a celebration of self-awareness.
Born in the all-Black town of Eatonville, Florida, Hurston's early years were sheltered from the racial animosities of the broader world.
Eatonville was a place where Black residents were the community, the officials, the law — they were the norm. Within this enclave, Hurston didn’t grow up "colored" but as Zora. It was only when she left Eatonville at age thirteen did she encounter the world's desire to put her into a racial category, to define her by her color above all else. But for Hurston, this realization wasn't a lament; it was an acknowledgment of her distinct place in the colorful tapestry of humanity.
One of the most powerful sentiments in her essay is her refusal to be reduced to a victim or a sob story.
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While she doesn’t dismiss the horrors of racism or the scars of slavery, she doesn't allow them to consume her identity. "I am not tragically colored," she writes, signaling a refusal to be pitied or seen through a lens of suffering. This is not to belittle the very real struggles faced by Black Americans, but rather an intimate revelation of how Hurston chooses to perceive and position herself in the world.
What’s more, Hurston portrays her experiences as a Black woman not as a handicap, but as a unique vantage point.
She describes herself as a "brown bag of miscellany" thrown against a wall, mixed with bottles, cans, and other fragments, symbolizing the diverse experiences and histories that have shaped Black identity. Yet, she also recognizes that everyone, irrespective of color, is a similar bag, full of a varied mixture of experiences and identities. This beautiful metaphor serves as an equalizer, emphasizing both the uniqueness and universality of human experience.
One of the most evocative sections of the essay is when Hurston discusses her love for music, particularly jazz and blues. For her, the music is a bridge, a shared human experience that transcends race. When she listens, she's no longer "colored" or even Zora, but a part of a collective, jubilant human spirit. It's a moment of transcendence where the barriers of race momentarily dissolve, replaced by the universal rhythms of human emotion.
While "How It Feels to Be Colored Me" is undeniably a reflection on race, it is, at its heart, a celebration of individualism. Hurston doesn’t speak for all Black people, nor does she aim to. She speaks as herself, from her experiences, from her perspective. The essay is a call to embrace oneself, to find joy in one’s identity, and to refuse to be boxed in by societal labels.
In today's world, where identity politics and racial tensions continue to simmer, Hurston’s words remain profoundly relevant. They remind us of the dangers of monolithic thinking, of reducing individuals to mere racial or ethnic categories. They emphasize the beauty of individual experience and the shared human joys and sorrows that bind us all.
In concluding, "How It Feels to Be Colored Me" is not just an exploration of Black identity, but a celebration of the human spirit. It's a testament to the power of self-awareness and the joy of individual existence. Through her words, Zora Neale Hurston invites us to look beyond color, to see the vibrant miscellany of experiences that define us, and to cherish the myriad hues of humanity.
Navigating the Self: Reflections on "How It Feels to Be Colored Me". (2023, Aug 29). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/navigating-the-self-reflections-on-how-it-feels-to-be-colored-me-essay
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