The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson

The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson is a novel that follows an unnamed biracial protagonist navigating race and identity in early 20th-century America. Born to a Black mother and a wealthy white father, he grows up privileged but later experiences racism, forcing him to confront his identity. A talented pianist, he explores Black culture through music and travels from the American South to Europe. Eventually, he chooses to "pass" as white, abandoning his heritage for social and economic security. The novel critiques racial hypocrisy and explores the cost of assimilation, illustrating. Summary by Mentor New York