Ruth McBride’s life, as recounted in James McBride’s poignant memoir The Color of Water, is a striking testament to resilience and the enduring power of identity. The book isn't just James's story of discovering his mother; it's a vivid narrative of Ruth’s own extraordinary journey, a path marked by profound prejudice, unwavering faith, and the relentless pursuit of a better life. From her impoverished childhood in the American South to her embrace of Judaism and her role as a mother of twelve, Ruth’s story is a tapestry woven with threads of hardship, love, and an unshakeable will to overcome.
Born Rachel Shilsky in 1921 in a small town near Suffolk, Virginia, Ruth’s early years were steeped in poverty and the suffocating realities of Jim Crow. Her parents, Polish-Jewish immigrants, ran a small general store, a fragile enterprise that barely kept them afloat. The store, a magnet for both Black and white customers, exposed young Rachel to the stark racial divisions of the era. She witnessed firsthand the casual cruelties inflicted upon Black people, a stark contrast to the love she received from her family, however imperfect. A pivotal moment occurred when she was a teenager; her father, a man she describes with a mixture of affection and exasperation, was murdered by a Black farmhand over a trivial dispute. This event, coupled with the pervasive racism she experienced daily, left an indelible mark, shaping her understanding of the world and her place within it.
Driven by a deep yearning for something more, Ruth left her stifling home environment. She eventually found herself in Harlem, New York, in the 1940s. Here, she encountered a different kind of community, one alive with Black culture and intellectual ferment. It was in Harlem that she met Andrew McBride, a Black man who would become her first husband and the father of James. Their interracial marriage, though met with disapproval from both sides of their families and society at large, was a bold declaration of their love and a rejection of the prevailing social order. Ruth converted to Christianity and, later, after Andrew’s death from cancer, embraced Judaism, finding solace and spiritual grounding in its traditions. This spiritual evolution, moving from her Orthodox Jewish roots to Christianity and back to Judaism, highlights her constant search for meaning and connection.
Ruth’s life as a mother was defined by her fierce protectiveness and her dedication to providing for her children. After Andrew’s death, she was left to raise eight children on her own, a monumental task she met with determination. She worked tirelessly, often holding multiple jobs, to ensure her children had food, shelter, and, most importantly, education. She instilled in them a strong work ethic and a belief in the power of learning. Later, she married Hunter Jordan, with whom she had four more children. The sheer volume of her family, combined with the economic challenges, meant that life was rarely easy. Yet, through it all, Ruth’s spirit remained unbroken. She was a woman of deep faith, finding strength in prayer and community. The memoir paints a picture of a woman who, despite facing immense personal loss and societal prejudice, always managed to find a way forward, often with a wry sense of humor and an indomitable spirit.
The Color of Water ultimately reveals Ruth McBride’s story not just as a personal chronicle but as a powerful exploration of race, religion, and the complexities of American identity. Her life, a bridge between worlds and traditions, demonstrates that family and love can transcend rigid societal boundaries. Ruth's unwavering commitment to her principles and her children, even in the face of profound adversity, offers a compelling narrative of human endurance and the relentless pursuit of self-definition.