The Study of Racialism

msmochachina · Regular User Joined: 03 Mar 2008 {Posts: 58 }

The Color of Water, by James McBride

This is one of the best books I have ever read.

It begins as the story of a young Jewish woman whom runs away from her strict, Jewish family and finds shelter among the black community.

Later on in the book, she has children whom wonder why she is much lighter skinned than they are. When they ask her "Are you White?" She replies "I am the color of Water"

Anyways, I won't spoil this book for you, but I think it was kinda messed up that the children didn't know they were part Jewish until they were adults.
I mean, I'm all for "being colorblind", but those kids deserved to know about all facets of their cultures.

It's a very good book and I suggest it to everyone.

OTHER · Posted: Sat 08 Mar 2008 13:02 Post subject:

I enjoyed reading that book, too. Just thinking about it makes me picture his mother riding her bicycle around their neighborhood. I don't know why but that mental picture he painted of her stuck with me!

Powell · Guru Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2139 }

I notice that McBride's Jewish mother wasn't condemned by anyone for keeping family secrets from her children. By contrast, the late Anatole Broyard was viciously condemned by black and liberal commentators for doing the same thing. We are often told that it's a terrible crime for parents to keep black ancestry a secret from their children but no big deal (silence) if white ancestry is denied.

msmochachina · Regular User Joined: 03 Mar 2008 {Posts: 58 }

msmochachina · Regular User Joined: 03 Mar 2008 {Posts: 58 }

OTHER · Posted: Sun 09 Mar 2008 17:29 Post subject: Re: The Color of Water

femmedecouleur · Posted: Wed 12 Mar 2008 03:29 Post subject:

I read this book when it came out.

It struck me as funny that he noticed that his Jewish mother's skin was so white when I have seen self-identified Nordic-looking 'Blacks' in my parents' hometown in GA/ SC and also in my own family.

My first thought was that the author didn't get out much. Laughing

Bischoff · Mentor Joined: 20 Jan 2008 {Posts: 395 }

Most people in the world period have never seen a "Nordic looking Black", especially people who live outside of the United States. So I guess to you most of the world's population don't get out much.

Famu · Mentor Joined: 27 Sep 2007 {Posts: 243 }

I read this book for HS English. I thought it was interesting, but I didn't see why it was included in our curriculum. I think he came to speak at our school or something, but I can't remember.

femmedecouleur · Posted: Wed 12 Mar 2008 20:10 Post subject:

pianoplayer111 · Mentor Joined: 16 May 2007 {Posts: 379 }

Well, I would say that if a person is "Nordic-looking" then they aren't entirely black. However...

I don't wish to offend anyone. Embarassed

femmedecouleur · Posted: Fri 14 Mar 2008 20:29 Post subject:

pianoplayer111 · Mentor Joined: 16 May 2007 {Posts: 379 }

My comment wasn't directed at you, per se.

Now what was your point? Confused

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2678 }

Powell · Guru Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2139 }

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2678 }