James McBride Question

Jodie Crutchley
9/11/14
English Writing Skills Workshop
Professor Rasheda Young


Question:"What is the main point McBride is making about the concept of black power? Is it a concept, an identity, or an idea that defines him? Discuss why you feel this way."

          In the fourth chapter of The Color of Water, James McBride talks about the black power movement. The media portrays the "back panthers" involved as violent against white people. McBrides story says otherwise of the panthers.
         Even McBride was afraid of the panthers, afraid what they'd do to his mother. His encounter with the a black panther family was when he was leaving for summer camp. He watched as a young boy and his father said goodbye to each other loving and gave each other the "Dap" or rhythmic hand slapping handshake. When the boy took his place on the bus others who saw him and his father asked where he had learned that handshake. The boy replied proudly with, "My father taught me, he's a black panther". McBride felt his mother was in great danger. The boy and his father did not even notice his white polish mother. Yet McBride has been told by the media that the black panthers were a danger to white people.
        Black power is a concept. A concept to unite African Americans to get their ideas to the public.  Black power is an idea. An idea that the conditions for African Americans can change for the better. Black power is an identity. Black and proud.