Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) writes in a time when racism had proven relentless and oppression undaunting. Yet, having been raised in Eatonville, "an all-black town," she was guarded against the cruelties of racialistic consequence (1982). In her short story, How It Feels to Be Colored Me, Hurston gives an autobiographical account of "the very day that [she] became colored" (1984). Hurston uses How It Fee1s to Be Colored Me as a vehicle to vividly describe the expressions of her self-realization.
"During this period, white people differed from colored to me only in that they rode through town and never lived there", writes Hurston (1984). From her childhood she expresses the insignificance of the color of one's skin. She displays this in the story through the imagery of her sitting on the fence post being the first "welcome-to-our-state Floridian" (1984). Regardless of their color and all else, Hurston welcomes and in many cases entertains those who pass through Eatonville. She is not aware of the racial division that exists outside of her world. After realizing that she is of color, Hurston never really places a significant emphasis on the racial inequalities that exist in America. This can be observed in many of her other works as well.
After making the realization that she is in fact of color and of the consequences regarding this fact, she makes a clear distinction between herself as a person of color and "the sobbing school of Negrohood" (1984). Here she exhibits an ambition that carries her past the obstacles that both then and now face African Americans in the course of their lifetimes. By having an outspoken, high spirited, and ambitious personality, Hurston is able to obtain an education and explore the complexities of African-American society through her research and writing.
It can interpreted that much of her work is in fact autobiographical. Throughout her writings, many characters exude a strong sense of courage, determination, and willfulness to achieve their goals. These characters are often interpreted as having the attributes that are characteristic of Hurston. She also holds a high value of pride and appreciation for her people. How It Feels to Be Colored Me is only one piece that describes such emotions. She also recognizes African heritage as a significant factor in determining a cultural identity. Having lived in a world where color mattered, Zora Neale Hurston "[did] not always feel colored. Even [then she] often achieve[d] the unconscious Zora of Eatonville" (1985).
