Rejecting Race
In the memoir, The Color of Water, by James McBride, James and his mother, Ruth, face hardships regarding their race and their mixed identities during the civil rights era. These adversities deter James and Ruth from associating with a single race in order to restrain from being ridiculed by society. In their case, rejecting race is not beneficial as it diminishes the understanding of their racial identity. James and Ruth only become more confused with their racial identities when they are exposed to discrimination.
Growing up with African-American siblings and a Jewish orthodox mother makes it difficult for James to affiliate with a single race. James wants to identify as African-American, yet at the same time he wants to associate …show more content…
Ruth understands the negative connotation towards African-Americans in society and wishes to decrease them. Ruth wants the best education and life opportunities for her children, consequently she sends them to a white school. Alternatively, she decides that white folks are “implicitly evil towards blacks” (29), and “Blacks could be trusted more, but anything involving black was probably slightly substandard” (29). Ruth acknowledges that white educations is far superior than black education, nevertheless she understands how white people treat African-Americans in society. Having raised twelve African-American children, Ruth is obviously not “implicitly evil towards black”. Ruth is rejecting her own race in order for her children to receive the best education, although she is confusing their identity by putting them in this position. There is an abundant amount expectations for Ruth as a Jewish orthodox child. Ruth tends to break these perfunctory customs, and she rejects her racial identity while doing so. Ruth fell in love with an African-American man, yet it is is viewed unacceptable by her racist father. Looking back on her frustration about her unaccepting family, Ruth recalls that “He was the first man other than my grandfather who ever showed me any kindness in my life, and he did it at the risk of his own because they would’ve strung him up faster than you can blink if they’d found out” (111). Knowing the consequences of having a relationship with a black man, Ruth decides to have one anyways. Having a relationship with an African-American man influences Ruth to have a rebellious stance towards her race, which ultimately makes her reject her race.
In the memoir, The Color of Water by James McBride, James and Ruth reject their race in order to confine from the outlash faced by society. Rejecting one’s race could be beneficial in some scenarios, but in The Color of Water,
In the memoir, The Color of Water, by James McBride, James and his mother, Ruth, face hardships regarding their race and their mixed identities during the civil rights era. These adversities deter James and Ruth from associating with a single race in order to restrain from being ridiculed by society. In their case, rejecting race is not beneficial as it diminishes the understanding of their racial identity. James and Ruth only become more confused with their racial identities when they are exposed to discrimination.
Growing up with African-American siblings and a Jewish orthodox mother makes it difficult for James to affiliate with a single race. James wants to identify as African-American, yet at the same time he wants to associate …show more content…
Ruth understands the negative connotation towards African-Americans in society and wishes to decrease them. Ruth wants the best education and life opportunities for her children, consequently she sends them to a white school. Alternatively, she decides that white folks are “implicitly evil towards blacks” (29), and “Blacks could be trusted more, but anything involving black was probably slightly substandard” (29). Ruth acknowledges that white educations is far superior than black education, nevertheless she understands how white people treat African-Americans in society. Having raised twelve African-American children, Ruth is obviously not “implicitly evil towards black”. Ruth is rejecting her own race in order for her children to receive the best education, although she is confusing their identity by putting them in this position. There is an abundant amount expectations for Ruth as a Jewish orthodox child. Ruth tends to break these perfunctory customs, and she rejects her racial identity while doing so. Ruth fell in love with an African-American man, yet it is is viewed unacceptable by her racist father. Looking back on her frustration about her unaccepting family, Ruth recalls that “He was the first man other than my grandfather who ever showed me any kindness in my life, and he did it at the risk of his own because they would’ve strung him up faster than you can blink if they’d found out” (111). Knowing the consequences of having a relationship with a black man, Ruth decides to have one anyways. Having a relationship with an African-American man influences Ruth to have a rebellious stance towards her race, which ultimately makes her reject her race.
In the memoir, The Color of Water by James McBride, James and Ruth reject their race in order to confine from the outlash faced by society. Rejecting one’s race could be beneficial in some scenarios, but in The Color of Water,