What does the world define the people by, their skin color, their ancestry? In the book The Color of Water by James McBride, James struggles with finding his identity. James always asks his mother Ruth about where she is from and about his family. James also asks about if he is black or white. James figures out that all of that stuff is not important and that he has to make his own identity and that nobody is going to do it for him. People are not defined by their ancestry or race, but by their actions and what they know. First, someone color of skin does not define their identity or their life and they need to learn things so they will not be a nobody. James always asks his mom if he is white or black, his mom always gives him the same answer,
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James’ parents were both poor and did not have a good education but yet still, their kids grew up to be smart and have good jobs. “The man died without a penny, yet his children grew up to graduate from college, to become doctors, professors, teachers, and professionals all “ (McBride 251). Ruth’s kids grew up to be successful people even though their parents were poor people who could not afford much for their kids but the kids still became successful and had money. “You should be a minister. You ever think about that? But you need foresight. And vision. You got vision? I tell her I don’t think I do. Well, if you don’t have it, don’t waste God’s time” (McBride 258). James’ father was a minister and his mom at first did not like the new minister of the church that her first husband has started. But later she grew to like him. Ruth asks James if he wants to become a minister like his father but James declines the offer and his mom tells him that if he does not see himself see himself fit to become a minister, he should not go for it because the only thing he will be doing is wasting his and God’s time. James does not need to be defined by his parents and their past, James also does not need to live up to be what his parents were, he can be what he sees fit for him to …show more content…
After the main book is over, James writes about the books ten year anniversary and there he mentions about how his mom is doing now and how the book made a lot of money and they became famous. But by the end of that James writes about love. “ But at the end of the day, there are some questions that have no answers, and then one answer that has no question: love rules the game. Every time. All the time. That’s what counts” (McBride 295). James says that this book is about how this book is about the love between a mother and her child, that love is the one answer that nobody can undermine it. “I have met hundreds of mothers - African American, Jewish, European, Arab, Latino, African, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist - and all of them understand that family love, a mother’s love, gives us grace, courage, and power beyond measure” (McBride 293). James wrote about how much love mothers possess for their children and that it is a powerful thing that gives us many good things. Love is a very powerful thing and people should use love to define each other and look past race and ancestry and love other
James’ parents were both poor and did not have a good education but yet still, their kids grew up to be smart and have good jobs. “The man died without a penny, yet his children grew up to graduate from college, to become doctors, professors, teachers, and professionals all “ (McBride 251). Ruth’s kids grew up to be successful people even though their parents were poor people who could not afford much for their kids but the kids still became successful and had money. “You should be a minister. You ever think about that? But you need foresight. And vision. You got vision? I tell her I don’t think I do. Well, if you don’t have it, don’t waste God’s time” (McBride 258). James’ father was a minister and his mom at first did not like the new minister of the church that her first husband has started. But later she grew to like him. Ruth asks James if he wants to become a minister like his father but James declines the offer and his mom tells him that if he does not see himself see himself fit to become a minister, he should not go for it because the only thing he will be doing is wasting his and God’s time. James does not need to be defined by his parents and their past, James also does not need to live up to be what his parents were, he can be what he sees fit for him to …show more content…
After the main book is over, James writes about the books ten year anniversary and there he mentions about how his mom is doing now and how the book made a lot of money and they became famous. But by the end of that James writes about love. “ But at the end of the day, there are some questions that have no answers, and then one answer that has no question: love rules the game. Every time. All the time. That’s what counts” (McBride 295). James says that this book is about how this book is about the love between a mother and her child, that love is the one answer that nobody can undermine it. “I have met hundreds of mothers - African American, Jewish, European, Arab, Latino, African, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist - and all of them understand that family love, a mother’s love, gives us grace, courage, and power beyond measure” (McBride 293). James wrote about how much love mothers possess for their children and that it is a powerful thing that gives us many good things. Love is a very powerful thing and people should use love to define each other and look past race and ancestry and love other