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Opposite to Ruth, James' experience with racial and religious discrimination is somewhat different because the era changed. When James was in his early adulthood, the perspectives started to change and racial discrimination was viewed as an issue that must be changed. The difference in approaches can be related to the nature of the individuals, Ruth and James, but as well to the changing times. The nature of the two characters is different as a result of age and background. While Ruth experienced many of the possible evils to be experienced by a child, James was taken care of, even though the money shortage was obvious. Thus, the nature of the persons differs. Ruth is more submissive and more reluctant to address openly the issue of racial discrimination. At the same time however, her dedication for her children to learn and become good men may be interpreted as a hidden desire to address discrimination and to make people appreciate the nature and the quality of the individual rather than the skin color and the religious creed.
Both characters, Ruth and James dealt with issues of racism, religion, and identity differently. Ruth chose to ignore her race because it was easier to live within her own world than in a world that had been so unaccepting and cruel. James dealt with the racism he experienced...
A sense of ones self is derived from the identity on ones parents. As he began to uncover his own identity, he took pride in the fact that he was the grandson of a Jewish rabbi and a child of an all-black Red Hooks Project. Since Ruth lived with an abusive and over ruling father, was surrounded by a community, un-accepting of Jews, and had a low self-image, she chose to forget who she was and where she came from in order to go on. She learned about God who lifted her up, forgave her, and made her feel new. James felt guilt for not having pride in the mother he loved, and insecurity for not being able to identify with both his parents. He found himself torn between two races. Instead of running away from the racism he was faced with, he chose to meet it in the face by searching for his roots. As his mother began to open up and talk about her past, James felt the connection to her and both came to realize it really doesn't matter what a person's race or religion is. People should judge you for who you are and not by the color of your skin or the religion you practice
Bibliography
Mc Bride, James. The color of water. A black man's tribute to his white mother. New York: Riverhead Trade, 1997.
Bibliography
Mc Bride, James. The color of water. A black man's tribute to his white mother. New York: Riverhead Trade, 1997.
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