Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) was an African American novelist, short story writer, folklorist, anthropologist, and one of the most important figures of the Harlem Renaissance. In this personal essay, Hurston explores her identity as a Black woman in the early 1900s.

Note: Throughout this work, Hurston uses the term "colored" as a racial descriptor. The term "colored" was introduced in the United States in the early 19th century and while it was initially accepted by Black Americans it has since become an offensive and outdated term.