The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson

This fascinating story follows the life of young biracial man in early twentieth century America. He must confront not only the racism of the society around him, but also his own racial demons. As the novel progresses, the young man finds himself faced with the dilemma of embracing his blackness and continuing on a brilliant career as a musician, or "passing" as a white man and earning a place of mediocrity within white society.