Question

The title of this book, The Color of Water , refers to the answer Ruth gives when James asks if God is white or black. Discuss why God’s race was so intriguing to James and why this answer was so important to Ruth.

Answer 1

James was intrigued by God's race because he was trying to understand his own racial identity and where he belonged in the world, while Ruth's answer reflected her belief in the unity of all people and the idea that racial differences should not divide us.

Step-by-step explanation:

James was intrigued by God's race because he was trying to understand his own racial identity and where he belonged in the world. Growing up in a mixed-race family, James felt conflicted about his own racial identity and struggled with questions of belonging and acceptance. When Ruth answered that God's race was the color of water, it was important to her because it reflected her belief in the unity of all people and the idea that racial differences should not divide us. By embracing the concept of God as a colorless entity, Ruth was challenging societal norms and promoting equality.