Identity in The Color of Water :: water

Identity in The Color of Water   The American Dictionary defines identity as the distinct personality of an individual. Many factors ready up ones identity, such as race, ones relationship with society, and religion. People seek other people who with they can identify. One must interact with others and learn from his interests and their responses to find a suitable group. The process of finding a group allows one to discover his or her own identity. Through The Color of Water, James McBride demonstrates that one perceives his identity by feedback from others as well as through his own thoughts and emotions. One aspect of identity where feedback can be given almost instantaneously is race, as it involves a persons skin color. Young children often ignore each others races unless they are taught or given reason to do otherwise. McBrides race came to his attention at an early age. He noticed that both black people and white people stared at his white mother with her black fa mily, letting him know that his family was different from what was considered normal and refreshing by society. Comparing skin color with his mother, he noticed that her skin was white while his was black. He became confused about his own color and ill at ease(predicate) with the fact that his mother was white. He wanted to be accepted by others, and he thought that life would be easier if his family was just one color, black or white (103). McBride became aware of his race at a younger age than most children. While he was comparing skin color with others, I was untroubled about my race because people of similar skin color surrounded me. I was aware of black people, but, because most people that were around me were white, I neer felt alienated because of my race. Also, my family was made up of one race, so I did not share McBrides confusion about his color. Because of his uncertainty, he was unsure of how he jeer into society. By analyzing his thoughts and emotions and others f eedback, one can also discover where he fits in relation to society when he experiments with different groups of people. McBride felt that his mothers color was hindering him, so he began his own process of running, emotionally disconnecting himself from her (138). Though he was previously an outstanding student, he dropped out of school and began his search for someone with whom he could identify.