Racial+Influences

Throughout the book James McBride is confused as to what his race is. At one part he asks his brother "Are we black or white?". (93) He is constantly asking his family whether he is black or white and cannot seem to get an answer. "Am I black or white?" "You're a human being, educate yourself or be a nobody!"- His mother does not want him to focus on whether or not he is black or white but focus on getting an education and having a future. "The question of race was like the power of the moon in my house." (94) The children of the family ignored the fact that their mother was white and had more important priorities, such as books, music, and art. James' mother wants him to feel proud of his race while being the only black in his school. This was something he was entirely comfortable with.James describes how his mother pays no attention to the stares and remarks she would get from surrounding people. His mother would help him get on the bus and James would watch her out the window and see "the only white face in a sea of black faces." James always felt that his mother was in danger because she was the only black person in their surroundings. (35) When he realizes that his mother is getting looked down upon he feels ashamed of his mother and would rather do things on his own, such as waiting at the bus. At one point James revealed that he wishes his mother was black. But looking back on his life, now a grown man, he realized he was privileged to have come from two worlds. His view of the world was not merely that of a black man but of a black man with a something of a Jewish soul.

all siblings had color (52)