Family

= Family = __ **Parrents** __ **Ruth (Rachel) Shilsky**- James McBride’s mother. Ruth instills educational, religious, and familial values upon James and his siblings throughout their childhood. Her story is the basis for James’ writing in //The Color of Water.// James’ strongest relationship in his childhood is his mother. **Andrew Denis McBride-**Ruth’s first husband and James’ biological father. He died before James was born. Andrew converted Ruth to Christianity, therefore greatly impacting James’ upbringing. **Hunter Jordan-** James’ stepfather and Ruth’s second husband. He serves as the primary male role model for James throughout his childhood. He also serves as a provider for the entire family. “His name was Hunter Jordan, Sr., and he raised me as his own son.” (117) __ ** Siblings ** __ **Denis McBride-** Oldest brother of James. He was very successful in his education and became a doctor, which made him a role model for James. He was involved in The Civil Rights Movement but his mother was not aware of this. **Jack (Rosetta) McBride**- served as a maternal figure for James. She moves out of the house early in James’ childhood. James later visits her over summer, where he meets Chicken Man. She is a social worker. **William McBride**- became a doctor. **David McBride**- became a teacher. **Helen McBride**- James’ radical sister. She ran away in his childhood and was a blatant activist. She becomes a nurse. **Richard McBride**- Richard is James' closest in age brother and is very close to him during his childhood. became a professor. He was also a U.S. army veteran. Dorothy McBride **James McBride** – author, composer, and saxophonist. His story is revealed between the pages of his mother’s story. **Kathy Jordan** – became a teacher. **Judy Jordan**- became a teacher. **Hunter Jordan**- became a computer engineer **Henry Jordan**- James' youngest brother, he is still student when James finished his memior. **Ruth Jordan** – James' youngest sister, she is still a student when James finished his memior.

“Mommy’s children are extraordinary people, most of them leaders in their own right.” (276) During his childhood James is picked on by his older brothers. His sisters acted as maternal figures because his mother worked long hours. All of James’ siblings attended universities.