The Easter Bunny did not begin as a children’s character.

It began with the hare.

Long before it was softened into something playful, the hare was a powerful symbol in many ancient cultures. Unlike rabbits, hares are wild, fast, and deeply connected to the cycles of the earth. They were often associated with fertility, intuition, and the liminal space between worlds.

In her powerful 1928 essay How It Feels to Be Colored Me, Zora Neale Hurston reflects on identity, individuality, and the experience of moving through the world with confidence and self awareness. Written during the Harlem Renaissance, Hurston’s voice is bold, thoughtful, and unapologetically her own. In this timeless piece, she challenges assumptions about race and identity while celebrating the richness of personal perspective.

Read the full essay and discover why Hurston’s words continue to resonate nearly a century later.