Introduction: “How It Feels to Be Colored Me”: Racial Discrimination
Comparing herself to a brown spot among white dots, Zora Neale Hurston, in her essay “How It Feels to Be Colored Me,” beautifully describes her quest for feminine identity through her keen sense of belonging to a colored background. Zora was an innocent child who didn’t recognize her colored identity until the age of thirteen, when she left her village of Eatonville for Jacksonville to study. It was there that she underwent “a sea change” (Hurston 902) upon realizing her colored background, which became a source of pride and feminine identity for her. Her vivid language, figurative expressions, metaphorical racial awareness, and use of colloquialisms draw the audience into her world as a playful girl, always aware of the white tourists but not letting discrimination affect her deeply.
Her sense of being a human being overshadowed her racial identity, and she became “everybody’s Zora,” feeling no inherent difference from others. Despite undergoing this transformation, she never felt she was “tragically colored” and remained as much a part of the world, dancing wildly to jazz tunes as she did in her childhood. Hurston’s strong sense of identity and self-pride led her to a keen awareness of her colored background, her sense of being different, and her natural inclination towards humanity, evident in her childhood and her love for jazz music.
Color and “How It Feels to Be Colored Me”
Zora was acutely aware of her colored background, a reminder at every step of her life. From an unconscious awareness in childhood to a conscious sense during her school years, her familiarity with her identity was evident. She stated that her town was “exclusively colored,” indicating her belonging to a separate race in a town where no other race resided (Hurston 138). However, she also expressed pleasure in tourists, paralleling herself with both Southerners and Northerners, affirming her belongingness to her village.
When she left for Jacksonville for studies, she became even more conscious of her colored background. However, she realized it was not the same as before, understanding that “the world is to the strong regardless of a little pigmentation more or less” (139). She recognized her power and abilities, reinforcing her identity and self-pride.
Difference and “How It Feels to Be Colored Me”
Despite this, her sense of being different persisted throughout her life. In childhood, she felt it when white visitors came to their town. Similarly, when she left for school, the feeling of being different accompanied her. There were always reminders of her colored background, emphasizing her distinctiveness from others. She often demonstrated this by embracing primal humanity through wild dancing to jazz, expressing a passion that connects her to her ancestors.
Her statement, “At certain times, I have no race, I am me” (141), metaphorically suggests that she transcends racial boundaries and belongs to humanity as a whole. She transcends her individuality, becoming a universal metaphorical figure beyond her colored identity. This realization brings her immense pleasure and allows her to maintain composure even in the face of discrimination, as she expresses, “I feel discriminated against” (142), without succumbing to anger.
Zora and “How It Feels to Be Colored Me”
Zora’s inherent humanity and her longing to reconnect with her ancestral roots are prominent themes throughout her essay. She expresses a deep desire to return to her past, from which emerges the “cosmic Zora,” a figure belonging not to any particular race but to humanity as a whole (141). She feels her race not only within herself but also in the broader context of humanity, as she states, “Besides the waters of Hudson, I feel my race” (141), implying that her race encompasses all of humanity.
Zora adeptly balances her colored background, recognizing that when a white person is among people of color, or vice versa, the contrast is sharp. This observation underscores her belief that humanity is the same regardless of race. She emphasizes that the world belongs to the strong, as she has previously stated, and therefore, she advocates for humanity over racial distinctions.
Conclusion: “How It Feels to Be Colored Me”
In short, Zora elegantly portrays her colored background within the broader context of humanity, taking pride in her uniqueness and potential to stand out among white individuals if given the opportunity or ability. She does not feel ashamed of her differences or the contrasting treatment she receives. Instead, she views her unique status as advantageous, believing that any success or recognition she achieves would bring her double credit and make her the center of attention.
Works Cited: “How It Feels to Be Colored Me”
- Hurston, Zora Neal. “How It Feels to Be Colored Me.” n. d. Web. 25 Oct. 2021.< http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ma01/grand-jean/hurston/chapters/how.html>
Relevant Questions about”How It Feels to Be Colored Me”
- How does Zora Neale Hurston’s essay “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” explore themes of identity and belonging?
- What literary techniques does Hurston employ in “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” to convey her experiences and perspectives on race and society?
- How does Hurston’s portrayal of her childhood experiences in Eatonville contrast with her experiences in Jacksonville, and what does this reveal about her evolving understanding of race and identity?
