The Color of Water: The final part

I finally finished The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother. At first, I didn't think the title was very fitting. Ruth wanted nothing more than to erase race and skin color completely from her and her children's life. She felt it was unimportant, and did nothing to help her family.

In the final chapters of this book, James returned to Suffolk to find our more about his mother's past and her family. It was easy to tell this journey back was hard for him and brought up a lot of unexpected emotion. I saw his going into the synagogue was a huge step forward for him and showed him a lot about his mother, because as a child, being Jewish was her life. I also kept expecting James to try to locate Dee Dee, Ruth's sister, and talk to her, but he never did because he knew it'd be hard on her. That to me shows a lot about his character.

I understand much better now why Ruth never wanted her children to know about her family or why she never asked them for financial help again. Her independence and strength through her first husband's (James's father) death showed to me just how strong of a person she is.

The epilogue was truly my favorite part. James talking about all his siblings shows the incredible way Ruth reared four accomplished children, something many never expected. Also, her entering  the synagogue for James's friend's wedding showed how she could accept her past, but move on with her own life and be okay with it.

I would recommend this book to anyone. It was a quick read, and definitely worth the time.