The Color of Water by James McBride
Revised summer reading response by Hojin Kim

Explanatory paragraph
The Color of Water is the memoir of James McBride about his life and his mother. His mother was a Jewish woman who had two marriages to both black men so as she lived in black people’s society she experiences prejudices against white. James’ family was poor but all twelve siblings of him graduated college because of his mother that she thinks education is most important; she did everything she can do to educate them. James was confused about his racial identity as a mulatto, but he understood it as he researched his mother’s past. Their lives show us that in one’s life race or religion do not matter.

Character Descriptions
James (author): wandering, confused, adventurous, questioning
Ruth: sincere, religious, abused, strong-willed
Dennis: kind, diligent, courageous, dependable
Tateh: cruel, greedy, mean, selfish

Discussion/Essay Questions

1.         Ruth made James to go to school for white. Why and what makes Ruth made this decision although there were extreme conflict between black and white in that time and she probably knew that James is going to experience the racial discrimination?

2.         When Ruth talked about her past, she said she was dead. What does she mean by she was dead in her past? and why she says it?

3.         Ruth was orthodox Jewish but she changed her religion into Christianity. Why she changed her religion and how does this decision affect her mind and life?

Key Passage---P. 50~51; James asked his mother whether God was black or white.

“A deep sigh. ‘Oh boy…God’s not black. He’s not white. He’s spirit.’(Ruth)

             “‘Does he like black or white people better?' (James)

             “‘He loves all people. He’s a spirit.’

             “‘What’s a spirit?’

             “‘A spirit’s a spirit.’

             “‘What color is God’s spirit?’

             “‘It doesn’t have color,’ she said. ‘God is the color of water. Water doesn’t have a color.’”

Explanation
James and his siblings had kind of color confusion as mulattos. He asked his mother. She answered wisely that “God is the color of water” as she believes so. She thinks God loves every people whatever their colors are so she said “he loves all people.” Like God doesn’t care about one’s race or religion, she doesn’t care about those too. That’s why she could marry to black men although the majority of society didn’t accept this in that time, and because of this belief she can adapt to black society as a white. This passage shows that as God doesn’t differentiate all people we shouldn’t has bias or prejudices against the other races. Since she doesn’t care about one’s race she made James to go to school for white because they provides better education than school for blacks so James can achieve successful career. Eventually

Recommendation
I would recommend The Color of Water to children of mixed parentage and every American who has prejudice against the other race. The story of Ruth’s life is good example of open-minded person who overcame racial prejudices and adapted to other race. The Color of Water has power to make readers open-minded so they can see the people without any prejudges or prejudices. It gives lessons that we need for living in age of globalization.