Close Reading of The Autobiography of An Ex-Coloured Man
By Audrey Goh
"It's no disgrace to be black, but it's often very inconvenient,"
says the narrator in James Weldon Johnson's 1912 novel, The Autobiography
of An Ex-Coloured Man (114). This statement concludes the narrator's consideration
of the issue of blacks' preference for lighter-skinned people. Noticing this
preference from a pattern in their marriage selection, the narrator seeks to
delve deeper into this "peculiar" (113) behaviour. He soon reasons
that it is not so peculiar after all and offers a reasonable explanation for
it -- that it is a simple matter of overcoming inconvenience. His purpose seems
to be to give insight into the rationale of the Negroes, but I suspect more
is involved: that there is in fact a personal motive behind his seemingly objective
consideration of the colour question.
The narrator first introduces the behaviour of blacks desiring whites, as
the "peculiar inconsistency of a colour question" ( 113). Indeed,
blacks have engaged in war and conflict with the whites, accusing the whites
of discriminatory behaviour and inequality; yet why do they then shun their
own race and embrace their enemy with such open arms? The narrator notes that
it is a behaviour pervasive only amongst "Negroes themselves" (113),
which would imply that the whites engage in no such acts. Also, his use of the
word "selection" (113) indicates a kind of conscious effort on their
part. Therefore, an explanation for such behaviour is absolutely necessary.
The narrator disputes that it is not due to the inferiority complex that the
blacks could have developed; this he does very forcefully with a short and curt
"I do not think so." (113). Instead, he argues that it is their way
of overcoming the "inconvenience" (113) placed on them by the skin
of their colour. He tries to impress upon the reader that the Negroes have no
choice, because that kind of behaviour is an "economic necessity"
and that it is necessary for them to even have a chance at "earning a livelihood"
(113).
I cannot help but ask the question: Is not their inability to earn a livelihood,
much less get high opportunities a cause for feeling inferior? I do agree with
him that the marriage selection is possibly carried out based on such practical
considerations, but while he opposes to the inferiority claim and champions
the economic one, I feel that they are both linked to one another. They are
not exclusive. The biblical quote "But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew
6:33) is echoed with his paraphrase of "Have a white skin, and all things
else may be added unto you" (113). This statement aptly represents both
the social and economic pressure placed upon the blacks. It implies that not
having white skin was seen as an act against God and some kind of imperfection,
which would then deny them the food and clothing that would otherwise have been
added unto them. Naturally the pursuit of the sacred "white skin"
would follow. The example of obvious and open discrimination in advertisements
requesting for "Light-coloured men" (113) would also most surely attack
the inferior complex of anyone who was not light-coloured. Therefore, I feel
that their tendency to marry lighter-skinned people is more complex in nature
than the narrator has suggested. More than just the need to survive, it indicates
also a subconscious acknowledgement of their inferiority, which ultimately results
in their succumbing to the system of white superiority.
Why then does the narrator so vehemently deny the presence of this inferior
complex? I mentioned earlier that there might be a personal motive of the narrator
behind this passage, which I feel casts doubts on the truthfulness of his narration
and opinion on the matter. He opposes the presence of an inferiority complex
in the Negro who marries a white with such zeal, pushing such an idea forward
as a "peculiar inconsistency" and then serves up the economic explanation
as the "most natural" (113). I feel that his defence of such a black
man, is an indirect defence of himself. In his narration, the black man serves
as a representation of himself. He, similar to the black people in his narration,
married a woman who was "as white as a lily" (144). The example of
a black man giving his children advantages of a fair complexion resembles his
confession of keeping his white identity for the sake of his children. Therefore
I feel that he is using this narrative to counter any conclusions by the reader
that he married because of the shame and inferiority he felt, and to do away
with any such associations. After all, he has framed the social background as
beneficial to his argument. He used strong words such as "necessity",
"tremendous pressure" and the "great premium" (113) put
on the lack of colour to justify the behaviour of marrying whites (which is
also his). Intensifiers such as "anything else" and "most natural"
(113) are also employed. He defends his position using his children, claiming
that it is what he "should" (113) have done, impressing upon the reader
a sense of righteousness on his part. Hence, the last quote that he is not ashamed
of his own race but merely did so to overcome inconvenience as a final attempt
to uphold his dignity.
Thus, I feel that this paragraph holds significance for the black folk, revealing
something more of the complexities of their social life, but even more significance
for the narrator. Here, he is perhaps seeking to convince not only his readers
but also himself that just like the black man, his actions were legitimate.
It is very much hints at his inability throughout the novel to accept wholeheartedly
his decision to enter the white race. In fact, his need to justify his actions
is yet another characteristic of him, and is not just confined to this particular
narration. But most importantly, I think that this paragraph provides an insight
to the mental struggles he goes through with regards to this issue and serves
as a preview to his later decision of passing and marrying a white woman.
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