Jake Harper
In Chapter 14 of The Color of Water, James, the son of Ruth, seeks comfort outside his home after his mother is emotionally devastated by the death of her second husband. James spends time with a group of blue-collar workers and hustlers called the boys on the Corner, where he befriends Chicken Man, a sweet, incoherent drunk with a penchant for minor philosophy when sober. While the text does not explicitly state Chicken Man's race, it is worth noting that stereotypes of African Americans often involve a purported love for fried chicken. This stereotype has been used to dehumanize and disparage Black communities, and it is essential to recognize and challenge such stereotypes whenever they arise.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Race | Black |
| Personality | Sweet, incoherent when drunk, a minor philosopher when sober |
| Behavior | Cautioned James to not seek revenge on his harasser and former boss |
| Stereotypes | African Americans have an unusual appetite for fried chicken, watermelon, and grape drinks |
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What You'll Learn
Stereotypes of African Americans often involve fried chicken
The stereotype that African Americans have an affinity for fried chicken is a racist trope with roots in the American Civil War and traditional slave foods. During the Civil War, chicken dishes were popular among enslaved people as they were generally the only animals slaves were allowed to raise themselves. Enslaved people also cooked fried chicken for their masters and employers on special occasions.
In the 20th century, restaurants like Sambo's and Coon Chicken Inn commercialized the stereotype by selecting exaggerated depictions of Black people as mascots, implying quality by their association with the stereotype. Fried chicken has also been portrayed in films like The Birth of a Nation, which features a scene of a rowdy African-American man eating fried chicken in a legislative hall.
The stereotype has been perpetuated in more recent times as well. For example, in 2009, a Bangladeshi immigrant who claimed to be ignorant of the racist clichés of African Americans eating fried chicken renamed his poultry eatery "Obama Fried Chicken" to honor former US President Barack Obama. In another incident, golfer Sergio Garcia made a racist comment to pro-golfer Tiger Woods in 2013, saying that Woods would be served "fried chicken" if he were invited to dinner to settle their feud.
The fried chicken stereotype is just one of many racist tropes that have been used to dehumanize and disparage African Americans. Other stereotypes include the ""Mandingo" and "Jezebel," which portray African Americans as hypersexual, and the "welfare queen," which negatively portrays African-American women as scheming, lazy, and defrauding the public welfare system. Sports coverage that highlights "natural Black athleticism" has also been criticized for suggesting White superiority in other areas, such as intelligence, and for perpetuating the idea that African Americans are incapable of dominating in "White sports" like ice hockey and swimming.
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Chicken Man is a friend of James
Chicken Man is described as a sweet man, incoherent when drunk, and a minor philosopher when sober. He is one of the men on the Corner who looks out for James. When James gets into trouble stealing car batteries with another man, Pike, Chicken Man cautions him to forget about seeking revenge on the car owner who shot at them. He warns James that he will get himself arrested and end up like the middle-aged drunks and jobless men on the Corner. Chicken Man points out that if James were so smart, he wouldn't be failing school and getting into trouble.
Despite their friendship, James and Chicken Man's relationship is also marked by moments of tension. James argues with Chicken Man, insisting that he is too smart to end up like the other men on the Corner. However, Chicken Man's warnings and advice demonstrate a concern for James's well-being and a desire to guide him away from potential harm.
Through their interactions, James and Chicken Man's relationship reflects the dynamics of friendship, mentorship, and the shared experiences within their community in Louisville.
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Chicken Man cautions James against seeking revenge
While the text does not explicitly state Chicken Man's race, it does mention that he is one of the "boys on the Corner", a group of blue-collar workers and hustlers who hang out in front of a liquor store. James, the protagonist, notices that the men on the Corner don't pay much attention to white people and are indifferent to the police. This could suggest that Chicken Man is a person of colour, as they are indifferent to the authorities.
Chicken Man is described as a sweet man, incoherent when drunk, and a minor philosopher when sober. He is James's favourite of the bunch and looks out for him. When James is fired from his job pumping gas due to a fight with his boss's friend, who was sexually harassing him, he becomes angry and spends all his time on the Corner, plotting revenge.
This exchange highlights Chicken Man's concern for James's future and his attempt to guide him away from a life of crime and towards a more positive path. He wants James to learn from his mistakes and make better choices, rather than seeking revenge and potentially ruining his life.
While the text does not explicitly state Chicken Man's race, the context and setting suggest that he is likely a person of colour, and his interactions with James indicate that he is a mentor figure, trying to steer James away from trouble.
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Chicken Man is a minor philosopher when sober
In "The Color of Water," James, the son of Ruth, the narrator's mother, forms a friendship with Chicken Man, a member of a group of blue-collar workers and hustlers who hang out in front of a liquor store in Louisville, Kentucky. James spends a lot of time with this group, which includes Big Richard, Jack's husband. These men are described as "good-natured alcoholics," who follow a loose code of ethics, such as not cheating at dice and only pulling out a gun if they intend to use it.
Chicken Man is described as a "minor philosopher when sober." This description is indicative of his wisdom and ability to offer guidance to James, despite his struggles with alcohol. Chicken Man cautions James against seeking revenge on his former boss and harasser, predicting that such actions will only lead to James's arrest and a life of joblessness and drunkenness. He challenges James's belief that he is too smart for that outcome, pointing out his failing academic performance and the need to spend summers away from New York.
Chicken Man's advice to James demonstrates his philosophical side, offering a thoughtful and pragmatic perspective on the potential consequences of James's actions. While the extent of Chicken Man's philosophical thoughts and beliefs is not elaborated on, his sobriquet when sober suggests a depth of insight and a capacity for abstract thinking that sets him apart from the other men on the Corner.
Chicken Man's sobriquet, "Chicken Man," may be indicative of the stereotype that African Americans have an unusual appetite for fried chicken. This stereotype has been perpetuated in media and popular culture, contributing to the dehumanization and disparagement of the African American community. However, it is important to note that the character of Chicken Man in "The Color of Water" is not defined solely by this nickname, and he exhibits characteristics that go beyond this stereotype.
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Chicken Man is James's favourite of the boys on the Corner
In The Color of Water, James forms a special connection with Chicken Man, one of the "boys on the Corner". The Corner is a group of blue-collar workers and hustlers who hang out in front of a liquor store in Louisville. James spends a lot of time with these men, who are described as "good-natured alcoholics". Chicken Man stands out as James' favourite among them.
Chicken Man is described as a sweet man, who is incoherent when drunk and a minor philosopher when sober. He takes on a protective role towards James, cautioning him against seeking revenge on a former boss who had sexually harassed him. Chicken Man warns James that he will end up arrested and stuck on the Corner with the middle-aged drunks and jobless. Despite this, James argues that he is too smart for that fate, to which Chicken Man points out his failing grades and forced summers in Louisville.
The nickname "Chicken Man" may evoke racial stereotypes about African Americans and their appetite for fried chicken. This stereotype has been perpetuated in popular culture, such as in the film Birth of a Nation, and through minstrel shows in the nineteenth century, where white actors in blackface perpetuated and reinforced these stereotypes. However, the text does not explicitly state Chicken Man's race, and the nickname may not necessarily be indicative of his ethnic background.
The Color of Water explores themes of racial prejudice and segregation, particularly in the context of the Jim Crow laws and the experiences of African Americans in the South. The story also delves into the emotional struggles of James and his mother, Ruth, following the death of her second husband. James begins to sneak out and stay out late, emotionally disconnecting himself from his mother to avoid confronting her suffering.
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