Navigating America's Color Line: 'Passing' on Page & Screen

A central theme in Harlem Renaissance writer Nella Larsen’s novel Passing is the practice of racial passing, where mixed- race, light-skinned African Americans pose as white to gain acceptance and avoid the obstacles posed by racism in American society. However, passing can also mean pretending to be someone you are not; and in this context, it can also refer to sexuality and/or class. Larsen explores all of these dynamics of passing in her novels; numerous characters in both novels “pass” in various ways.

The fact that racism/racial identity, gender bias/discrimination, sexuality, and social class conflict are themes/issues that are just as relevant and compelling today as they were almost a century ago makes these novels accessible to a diverse readership. This is evidenced by the successful resurgence of Larsen’s novel Passing via a screen adaptation that made its debut on Netflix in November 2021 to glowing reviews.

In this reading series course, we will delve into what the novel and film Passing and the theme of passing help us to understand about racial/sexual/class identity and American selfhood.

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This class takes place remotely online via Zoom.

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Scholarships Available

Want to attend this class but price is an issue? No problem! Just email info@litcleveland.org and we can add you to the registration list for free! Support has been provided by Ohio Humanities, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.