How It Feels to Be Colored Me

How It Feels to Be Colored Me by Zora Neale Hurston is a bold and uplifting personal essay that explores identity, race, and individuality. First published in 1928, the essay presents Hurston’s unique perspective as a Black woman who refuses to see herself as a victim of racial discrimination.

Through vivid storytelling, Hurston recounts her childhood in an all-Black town where she was unaware of racial divisions, and how her sense of identity evolved when she moved into a more diverse society. Rather than expressing resentment, she embraces her differences with confidence and pride.

With striking metaphors and energetic language, Hurston celebrates the richness of her personality and culture. She emphasizes that identity is shaped by personal experience rather than societal expectations, encouraging readers to view themselves beyond labels and limitations.

Empowering and thought-provoking, this essay remains a timeless reflection on self-worth, resilience, and the joy of being unapologetically oneself.