Identity is complex and can change and evolve throughout life. The memoir, The Color of Water, by James Mcbride takes place in the 1960s during the Black Power movement. During this time period, many black people discovered their identities and rebelled against racism and stereotypes. The Color of Water is James McBride’s experience as he grows up during this time period. He expertly weaves his mother’s past and his journey to discover his identity into a cohesive story that reveals important concepts about identity that can relate to life. Throughout the memoir, James's view of who he is and what identity is changes. At the beginning of the memoir, James has a very binary, black and white view of the world and identity. He is confused and …show more content…
James is curious about where his mother came from and her past. James sees his mother as a role model. She appears influential as she is able to rule over a household of 12 children. But “When I asked her where she was from, she would say, “God made me,” and change the subject. When I asked her if she was white, she’d say, “No”. I’m light-skinned,” and change the subject again” (21). No matter what James tried, his mother refused to answer him. This causes him to question his identity and why he is different from his mom. His mother's insistence on not answering any questions and denying the fact that she is white is confusing James. James has an internal conflict when the outside world does not match what his mother is telling him. His mother tells him that he is neither black or white and not to worry about it while James is experiencing racism and prejudice from society. His mother’s past was filled with racism, and this shaped who she is today. She is trying to protect James from similar events. James’s mother decides that it is better for him to avoid discussing the topic of race and push it aside. But this just makes James more confused as he navigates the outside world and experiences racism and stereotypes. The one-sided conversation James has with his mother builds on James's confusion of his identity and identity in