I felt the book white water delivered so many perspectives about African American race. The book entitled "White Water" focuses on an African American boy whom grows up in the south. The south is heavily populated with segregation. Michael learns quickly to adapt to segregation from peers and family members. Michael is often puzzled to why he continues to face opposition based on his skin color. Michael continuously dreams of what he would be able to do if he were only of white descendant. One hot day Michael is tempted to drink water that only is for "whites". Michael drinks the water that is only for and faces trouble. This book teaches children of the different oppressions that one faced due to race as well as to be proud of the skin one is in. I grabbed this at the library, frankly, because I saw a brown kid on the front and I make a point to make sure the books we bring home feature children with diverse skin colors or from different countries and cultures. I didn't screen it. I did not know the content and inadvertently created a dialog with my kids about segregation. They knew about Ruby Bridges, they knew about slavery and a little bit about Civil Rights, but the extent to which the idiocy infiltrated every little aspect of human dignity right down to where one could drink water was a new concept.It's hard to talk about these issues and this ugly past of America with children, and I was grateful the book brought this topic to our week. We ended up watching some videos online and turning it into a history lesson for school.Beautiful pictures, inspires good conversation. Please, don't save this book for Black History month as one reviewer suggested. Anytime is a good time for a book like this.
What do You think about White Water (2011)?
A good story about segregation and the doubts it instilled in one small boy- based on a true story.
—cuxybabe
Children's view point in such context.
—hungergames
