Why is the phrase, “the color of water,” the title of this book?

The phrase "color of water" is not only the title of this book, but the most important concept as well. When James asks his mother what color God is, Ruth wants her son to understand that his skin tone is not a factor in the way he is loved and valued as a person. God has no color preference, and in describing God in this way, Ruth might be describing James himself. Ruth does not see color, and in turn, she wants her son to understand that God doesn't see color either..... that in this way, James, as a biracial child, might also be seen as the color of water.