Color Of Water Essay, Research Paper

One aspect of identity where feedback can be given almost instantaneously is race, as it

involves a person’s skin color. Young children often ignore each others’ races unless they

are taught or given reason to do otherwise. McBride’s 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 family, letting him know that his family was different from what was

considered normal and acceptable 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 uncomfortable 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”. McBride became aware of his race at a younger age than most

children.