Zora Neale Hurston How It Feels To Be Colored Me Analysis

In Zora Neale Hurston’s essay, “How It Feels to Be Colored Me,” she discusses her feelings and experiences all having to do with being black. In her time, doing this was very daring and for her to say the unpopular opinion was exceedingly brave of her. In this essay she touches upon many deep topics, including self identity and how the world responds to it. She shares the interaction of races from an unique viewpoint and gives one a new insight on race. Unlike many, Hurston did not see race. Instead she saw simply what is and exists. She saw her darker skin as a privilege in the long run and viewed color as nothing more than a shade our eyes pick up. Hurston did not listen when she was told the black on her skin makes her different. She
She does not see color. She does not care for color. Hurston focuses more on personality and self-identification. You are who you are no matter what body you have. How you feel is different however. To Hurston, all people are her people. She says in the beginning of her essay how she enjoyed dancing, speaking, and singing for whomever no matter if she was payed or not. She uses a metaphor later on in her essay, how our person is a paper bag and we are filled to the brim with objects that make us. These items are what matter to Hurston. Her repulse to allowing physical properties taint her vision allows her to really know a person. Connections become emotional and a true tie is formed. Due to focusing on these components that make us up, she realised there are repeats. The world only has so much stuff, and we all contain everything. She can view the whole picture and can notice how we are all made of the same things. Everything significant to one person, is significant to countless others out there as well. We are all similar in one way and to hate someone is to hate yourself. This enlightenment gives Hurston the upper hand. She can define herself and others in more clear ways, she can eliminate all the hate in herself and towards others, all while being able to live happier. This metaphor shows a lot of importance and thought. It helps one understand the essential truth that we are all similar and have no reason to hate each