Final answer:
Zora Neale Hurston's identity in 'How It Feels to Be Colored Me' is shaped by her self-confidence, pride in her heritage, and the societal changes she faced when moving from a predominantly African-American community to a predominantly white one.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Zora Neale Hurston's essay "How It Feels to Be Colored Me," the author's identity is shaped by a blend of self-assurance and pride in her heritage, despite the racial challenges of her time. Hurston's narrative is a strong statement on the development of her character and views. She recalls experiences from her early years in Eatonville, Florida, where she was unbothered by the fact of being African-American because her community was entirely African-American. Moving to Jacksonville at the age of thirteen marked a significant shift in her perception of herself, as she became colored in a way she had never felt before. This transition to a predominantly white society brought a new awareness to her sense of identity, yet she refused to let discrimination rattle her strong sense of self. To Hurston, her race was among the pieces of her personal mosaic—an aspect neither limiting nor defining all she was. Her individuality surpasses racial boundaries; she sees herself as a unique person, not as a spokesperson for her race, which is an assertion of her independence and self-worth. In her narrative, she shares events and metaphors that contribute to her identity, such as when she compares herself to a brown bag filled with miscellaneous items, illustrating that all humans are essentially the same, just with different experiences and qualities.