I'm Latino a man that can pass for white. I first read The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man as an undergraduate in an African-American Literature class. It quickly became one of my favorite books because a lot of the stuff that he goes through internally I have gone through in my life. Both my parents are actually mixed, but my mom can pass for Eastern European and my dad could actually pass for Middle Eastern or North African. And when I was little people would always ask if I was adopted-they couldn't believe that my dad was my dad. I was always self-conscious about that when kids at school would bring it up to me, just like the main character in the book. I also like that he devotes a large portion of the book to Afro Cuban cigar makers. He's the only black writer that I know that portrays of Hispanic community with a lot of accuracy and respect. It makes sense when you consider that he was consul to Venezuela and Nicaragua. This was definitely one of the books that changed my life and also one of the few that I reread multiple times. I think it's an important lesson that even if we choose to pass, we shouldn't because it's like selling out. Anyway I rambled for long enough. Thank you and I really enjoyed this video.
Thanks for sharing.. you make me want to read it again for the hispanic influence. Growing up in Texas the latin community is really prominent here, leading me to visit South America and study the language.. i can't believe i missed that theme.
@@BriancaJay I hope you do eventually get to do that. I was actually born in Guatemala but I grew up in Florida near Tampa. I always wanted to go to Texas. I've heard very good things about the Hispanic community there.
Our African American literature professor recommended listening to your take on Johnson's "Autobiography." I'm glad I did. I came away with a different view, though. Just as Johnson's narrator had decided to devote his talent to bettering his race, he witnessed a horrific lynching. I think he understandably decided he didn't want to be a person subject to torture and execution simply because he was part black, since he didn't have to, so he chose to let people decide for themselves what he was. Keep in mind he thought he was white when he was a child. Johnson was about 41 when he published this book, and I think his narrator's wondering whether he'd made the right decision was something every person over 40 wonders at one time or another--when I had to choose (fill in the blank), did I make the right decision? Johnson's narrator's decision involved race, and since there's no turning back, there's no way to know what "might have been."
Hey Larry, Thanks for commenting. I love your analysis, it reminds me of some of those universal themes we see a bout longing and reflecting. Often times, we look back and consider our choices in life, like Frost and his two roads and how he took the road less traveled by, but all in all the two paths “equally lay / In leaves” and “the passing there / Had worn them really about the same.” So the two roads are interchangeable, as is the narrators race, perhaps. Whether he chooses to be white or chooses to be black- his outcome would be relatively the same? Maybe not in Johnson's day but ....makes me wonder Thanks for commenting, and im so flattered your professor recommended my page :)
Your discussion on this book is so interesting; it’s a complex piece of literature that’s for sure, and you gave it such a wealth of thought and insights, it made me want to re-read this one 😊 Also! Congrats on publishing a book! That’s amazing!! I’m so happy for you! 🖤🖤🖤
Congratulations on your children’s book. I’m almost to end of ‘The Autobiography of an Excolored Man’ and am wondering how much of this fiction is true? How much of it does Johnson live himself?
SO the rumor is, its a true story. That's how he presented initially, i do believe there was a little artistic licensing, but i do believe live it could be his story ( he was a very light skinned man) or a close friend. Times were so strange then, i've recently learned that at some times blacks were granted a white passing status based on certain political aspects they deemed important at the time. SMH .... I feel like books like this is our only insight into those complicated racial times
I thought what you said about this mans autobiography was interesting. Its amazing how someone who is actually black can pass for white. And as always Miss Jay looking very beautiful.
Im actually about to purchase that book it seems very relevant but Could you maybe do a review on a book called Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome P.T.S.D by Dr Joy Degruy? That book made me choke up several times it really hit home and i think everyone should have that book
Hallo'm John Aduda from Africa (Kenya) a postgraduate at Egerton University. I love the way you are portraying your ability,,, thank you
Thank you so much
I'm Latino a man that can pass for white. I first read The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man as an undergraduate in an African-American Literature class. It quickly became one of my favorite books because a lot of the stuff that he goes through internally I have gone through in my life.
Both my parents are actually mixed, but my mom can pass for Eastern European and my dad could actually pass for Middle Eastern or North African. And when I was little people would always ask if I was adopted-they couldn't believe that my dad was my dad. I was always self-conscious about that when kids at school would bring it up to me, just like the main character in the book.
I also like that he devotes a large portion of the book to Afro Cuban cigar makers. He's the only black writer that I know that portrays of Hispanic community with a lot of accuracy and respect. It makes sense when you consider that he was consul to Venezuela and Nicaragua.
This was definitely one of the books that changed my life and also one of the few that I reread multiple times. I think it's an important lesson that even if we choose to pass, we shouldn't because it's like selling out.
Anyway I rambled for long enough. Thank you and I really enjoyed this video.
Thanks for sharing.. you make me want to read it again for the hispanic influence. Growing up in Texas the latin community is really prominent here, leading me to visit South America and study the language.. i can't believe i missed that theme.
@@BriancaJay I hope you do eventually get to do that. I was actually born in Guatemala but I grew up in Florida near Tampa. I always wanted to go to Texas. I've heard very good things about the Hispanic community there.
Thanks Sis !
Our African American literature professor recommended listening to your take on Johnson's "Autobiography." I'm glad I did. I came away with a different view, though. Just as Johnson's narrator had decided to devote his talent to bettering his race, he witnessed a horrific lynching. I think he understandably decided he didn't want to be a person subject to torture and execution simply because he was part black, since he didn't have to, so he chose to let people decide for themselves what he was. Keep in mind he thought he was white when he was a child. Johnson was about 41 when he published this book, and I think his narrator's wondering whether he'd made the right decision was something every person over 40 wonders at one time or another--when I had to choose (fill in the blank), did I make the right decision? Johnson's narrator's decision involved race, and since there's no turning back, there's no way to know what "might have been."
Hey Larry,
Thanks for commenting. I love your analysis, it reminds me of some of those universal themes we see a bout longing and reflecting. Often times, we look back and consider our choices in life, like Frost and his two roads and how he took the road less traveled by, but all in all the two paths “equally lay / In leaves” and “the passing there / Had worn them really about the same.” So the two roads are interchangeable, as is the narrators race, perhaps. Whether he chooses to be white or chooses to be black- his outcome would be relatively the same? Maybe not in Johnson's day but ....makes me wonder
Thanks for commenting, and im so flattered your professor recommended my page :)
Your discussion on this book is so interesting; it’s a complex piece of literature that’s for sure, and you gave it such a wealth of thought and insights, it made me want to re-read this one 😊 Also! Congrats on publishing a book! That’s amazing!! I’m so happy for you! 🖤🖤🖤
Hey Addy,
Glad you enjoyed it! And thank you so much
ty!!!
I have read this book before, but the way you talk about this book. Makes me want to go back and read it again, because I believe I missed something.
Ive read the book 3 times, and each time i found myself looking at a new theme.. I love those books that make you think
Congratulations on your children’s book. I’m almost to end of ‘The Autobiography of an Excolored Man’ and am wondering how much of this fiction is true? How much of it does Johnson live himself?
SO the rumor is, its a true story. That's how he presented initially, i do believe there was a little artistic licensing, but i do believe live it could be his story ( he was a very light skinned man) or a close friend. Times were so strange then, i've recently learned that at some times blacks were granted a white passing status based on certain political aspects they deemed important at the time. SMH .... I feel like books like this is our only insight into those complicated racial times
I thought what you said about this mans autobiography was interesting. Its amazing how someone who is actually black can pass for white. And as always Miss Jay looking very beautiful.
Hey Frank! yea its crazy, people are still passing to this very day . thanks for watching
Thank you 🙏🏾
👍
Im actually about to purchase that book it seems very relevant but Could you maybe do a review on a book called Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome P.T.S.D by Dr Joy Degruy? That book made me choke up several times it really hit home and i think everyone should have that book
Ill order it today.. thanks for the recommendation
Hi there,,
I really want to see your note please......
Sure thing, shoot me an email so i can send it over.
mahmudarahman04@gmail.com