African-American Literature the Experience of Essay

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He had lived his life as a white child, and even after his discovery of his true race lived as a white man. He was allowed to pass as white, and therefore turned his back on his real heritage. Thus, his blackness became a secret, something to be ashamed of and hide; "I know that in writing the following pages I am divulging the great secret of my life, the secret which for some years I have guarded far more carefully than any of my earthly possessions," (Johnson 2). This shows a much different reaction to the understanding of oneself as black in the United States.

Both these texts involve understanding oneself relative to how others view you. Realistically, from a physical standpoint, being African-American means little difference to being white. However, from a social and psychological standpoint, it is a major difference, especially in the tie period these stories take place. Hurston understands that her condition is due not to her actions, but from an ancient social structure, "Slavery is the price I paid for civilization, and the choice was not with me," (Hurston 1). Yet, from this low point in African-American history, she acknowledges the possibility for change which then was answered much later during the Civil Rights era. Rather than letting her condition defeat her, she understood the need for Civil Rights; "No one on earth ever had a greater chance for glory.

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The world to be won and nothing to be lost," (Hurston 1). However, Johnson sees the need for Civil Rights from a different perspective. From his hiding place within white society, he views this need for future Civil Rights based in the suffering of African-Americans; "And this is the dwarfing, warping, distorting influence which operates upon each colored man in the United States. He is forced to take his outlook on all things, not from the viewpoint of a citizen, or a man, nor even a human being, but from the viewpoint of a colored man," (Johnson 11).

Cornell University Law School. "Civil Rights." Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 10 Sep 2009 at http://topics.law.cornell.edu/wex/civil_rights.

Hurston, Zora Neale. "How it Feels to Be a Colored Me." Mules and Men. The University of Virginia. Retrieved 10 Sep 2009 at http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA01/Grand-Jean/Hurston/Chapters/how.html.

Johnson, James Weldon. Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man. Kessinger Publishing. 2004......

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