Read: The Color of Water

Commentary by, Fang Fei Lin

Through the description of his confusion when he was growing, James McBride shows his unique consideration of love. This is a novel about a black man’s tribute to his white mother. He tried to find a connection between him and racism and love.  Love is the only way to communicate with people of different races. As long as you have a heart to love everyone, you will not fear anything.
The theme of love is through the whole novel, including the love between husband and wife, mother and daughter, and the love of god.

The consideration of race happens from the beginning of the novel. In school, only James and his siblings are black. They are good students, but the teachers always discriminate and disparage them. They were mocked by white students and teachers, some of them like Helen feel depressed because of the injustice. (p85- 105) James sometimes feels ashamed to have a white mother. James is always confused why a white woman has 12 black children. But when James asks about it, Ruth simply said, “I’m light-skinned.” People lived near James’ always make fun of Ruth. Once upon a time, when he sees Ruth is robbed by some black people, James first feel a kind of deep fear. He realized his mother is always in danger.

When James asks if he is black or white, Ruth says, “You are a human being.” I’ve never seen such intelligent person like Ruth when facing the problem of racism that she thinks people will not be judged by racism, but by their qualities and personalities. Ruth was also disturbed by racism when she was young. She was pushed aside by the other students in the school because she is Jewish. She liked to dance but nobody gave her a chance, so she understands the feelings of discrimination. Every person wants to be respected no matter what they look like. She teaches her children the most significant lesson-----equality.

The whole story is moving and inspiring. It shows a kind of attitude to life that everyone should keep on and never give up. It shows a kind of philosophy of living when you hesitate about which way to go you should just follow your heart. It shows deliberation of the injustice and equality. Everyone can find their own in this story. Everyone can get a  gift from this book.