The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man

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The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man (1912) by James Weldon Johnson is a fictional memoir that explores race, identity, and social status in America. The unnamed narrator, born to a Black mother and a wealthy white father, grows up unaware of his racial background until a school incident reveals it. Gifted in music, he dreams of using his talent to elevate African American culture through classical and ragtime fusion. However, after witnessing a brutal lynching, he abandons this mission, choosing instead to "pass" as white to ensure safety and success. The story highlights the painful compromises forced by racism and the tension between personal ambition and racial responsibility.