Iam colored but i offer nothing in the way of extenuating circumstances except the fact that i am the only negro in the united states whose grandfather on the mother's side was not an indian chief.
who said this?

These were the words spoken by Zora Neale Hurston when she opens her story How it Feels to Be Colored Me.

Explanation:

In Hurston's essay, she shines a light on the importance of race and describes how its importance can be attributed mainly to context. She pointedly opens with the line: “I am colored but I offer nothing in the way of extenuating circumstances…” Here she is clearly stating that she knows who she is compared to who society expects her to be because of her race. Her attitude and openness suggest that she takes pride in this knowledge and the distinctiveness her race combined with her history offers. She then goes on to say, “except the fact that I am the only Negro in the United States whose grandfather on my mother's side was not an Indian chief.” Here, she is taunting a common trend in African - American societies. Hurston then goes on to tell a touching story about how she discovered that she was colored, stating, “I remember the very day that I became colored.”

it was given away at no charge

the right ones are in bold.

daintly refers to the fact she was reaching for what she ate, not necessarily what she is like.

greatest charm as in she possessed (=had) the greatest charm.

pleasant (her demeanor)

speaking (of her sensibility)

dead refers to the hypothetical mouse.

bleeding refers to the hypothetical mouse.