The Color of Water

The book The Color of Water, by James McBride is a tribute to his white mother. James McBride is an award-winning author, composer, and screenwriter. He has written three books; The Color of Water, Song yet Sung, Miracle at St. Anna. James is a saxophonist who tours with his six piece jazz band. In the book James and his mother tell their life story. It is a story of family love and a mother’s will to do the right thing for her family.
Ruth McBride was a white Jewish mother married to a black man. Threw out the book Ruth’s children always asked about her past, but she would never tell them. Ruth was not proud of her past. This made her children unsure about how they fit into the world. They were always asking if they were black or white, she would respond by saying they were neither. Ruth’s refusal to tell about her past kept the children confused and wondering about their identities.
Ruth McBride begins her story by saying she is dead. She does not want to talk about her family because she is dead to them. When Ruth married a black man her parents disowned her. The Rachel she was before her marriage had to die so that the person she is now could live. She changed her name, and left the Jewish religion.
Ruth’s contradictions contributed to the balanced view of humanity that James McBride possesses. James went to schools that had mostly white children in them so he became friends with both blacks and whites. Even though she considered blacks to be substandard, she associated with mostly black people. James McBride saw his mother remain strong in many different, difficult situations. From this he learned a balanced view of humanity.
Ruth McBride’s name changes are significant because it signifies her becoming a different person. She changes her name from Ruchel to Rachel because it was more American. When she was nineteen she changed it from Rachel to Ruth. That person was dead to her, she wanted her life to be completely different from the one she had known. Ruth did not want to be identified as Jewish or white, she just wanted to be a human being.
Ruth succeeded in running her house hold because she showed her children love and affection. Ruth’s father was very strict and unkind to her. He never showed her affection or even used the word “love” in his house. Ruth laid down the law to her children but she was always affectionate and they knew that they were loved. He often described their home as organized chaos but they always ate meals together, did their homework, and had a bedtime.
After writing this book McBride realized that the world is not perfect. He was able to meet many of his white and Jewish relatives. He has also met many mixed race people and found them to be completely normal. He now feels a better person after meeting these people. He believes that everyone has a right to his feelings. He is proud of his entire family, black, white, Jewish, or Christian.
The title of the book, The Color of Water is significant to race and religion in that it suggests that human beings are of no color. Water has no color. The vision that this offers to Americans is that we should view human beings for who they are. A person should not be judged by his or her race or religion. This is what Ruth McBride instilled in all of her children.
James McBride questioned the issue of race his entire life. This confusion led to a lot of disagreement in the household as the children grew older. He often turned to Martin Luther King for inspiration. As he became older he became very angry about the issues of race.
James McBride has written a great tribute to his mother. It is a story of family love and strong faith. Ruth McBride was successful at teaching her children the most important things in life. I actually enjoyed reading this book. It is a book I would recommend to everyone.


Bobby W.