Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsHonest and Helpful
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2018
I chose 5 stars for a number of reasons. The first is the joy of reading a beautifully crafted and honest piece of writing. The poetic style elevated the narrative which is another reason for my rating. I appreciated the complex description of the perceptions of colored and whiteness versus the actual state of both groups of people. Third, the author introduced new and important nuances defying the stereotypical way of understanding history. He negated commonly held beliefs for both the white and the Negro and invited the reader into an honest and intimate exploration of personal and communal identity. Fourth, I believe this is a necessary resource for addressing the "negro question", a reference made by the author to what, why, and how to make progress in racial tolerance and human regard. Finally, I appreciate that this autobiography did not end as a spectacular tragedy or happy ending. There was no cleverly crafted moral statement. The account stands on it's own and from it I take many lessons to apply to my own consideration of white and colored, the cultural biases, and what role do I play in the continuing of history.
