The Color Of Water

The Color Of Water is a memoir about the author, James McBride. In this memoir he writes everything that happened in his life and also his mother's life, Ruth McBride Jordan.Their are two narrators of this memoir.One is the author James McBride and the other is his mother, Ruth.Throughout this book James McBride explains all the life lessons that he learned from his mother. His mother was a dominating figure in his life. Altogehter his mother had twelve children, so trying to standout was really hard especially if you had older sibling that was already in college, and graduate school.James McBride had a really tough childhood, he went through a lot of obstacles to get where he is today. James McBride quited school, smoked weed, drank all kinds of alcoholic beverages, join a soul band, shoplifted, broke into freight cars and robbing them and also he got arrested.

In his memoir James McBride made a tribute to his mother by including her in it. This memoir was about his mom as much as it was about himself. She guided him through life with a bright torch. Although he made a lot of mistakes and did a lot of bad things she was always there trying to help him change his uncontrollable ways.There were numerous life lessons that James learned from his mother.She taught him to be true to himself and never to give up.Education was top priority for her.She wanted all twelve of her children to get the highest possible academic achievement as the can acquire."She insited that we strive for the highest professional goals."(pg.30)Ruth didn't want her children to follow everyone else, she wanted them to create their own paths to follow.

Ruth also thought that religion was extremely important.James' father Andrew McBride was the one that opened her to the world of christianity.He was a deacon who then became a preacher.He and Ruth founded The New Roman Memorial church.When James was a boy he asked his mother whether God was black or white, with a deep sigh she responded that God is not black or white, he's a spirit. Then James inquired more, does he like black or white people better, she again responded that God loves all people.He's a spirit.James was still insistent and he wanted to know what color is God's spirit.Ruth then said, "It doesn't have a color, God is the color of water.Water doen't have a color."(pg.51)I think that was an excellent answer to such a complicated question.She tried to explain it in a way that he would understand and he accepted it.

Ruth McBride Jordan was a secretive woman.She didn't reveal herself until she was older and she insisted that her children do the same."You stick to your brothers and sisters, that's it.Don't tell nobody your business neither."(pg.13)James was in a situation once, the first time that he got off the school bus and his mother was not there for him.James was terrified and he wanted to cry because he didn't want to tell anyone where he lived.He remembered what his mother said about never to tell anyone his business.Luckily for him that he saw his elder siblings and was saved.

In this memoir it was the first time that his mother opened up and finally told her life story to anyone.She finally decided to let it all come out, which is good.By his mother revealing herself James also learned things about himself and answer unanswered questions.He learned to accept himself as he is, being priviledged to be of two unique races.

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The Color Of Water

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The Color Of Water


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