Running from Color by Morenike’: A Review by Renee Ombaba
“We are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s business; we are each other’s magnitude and bond.” -Gwendolyn Brooks
One of the strongest familial bonds in this life is that between sisters. Gwendolyn Brooks’ quote captures the intertwined spirits of sisters and expresses a bond so strong that one’s freedom, one’s identity, and one’s fundamental fullness of living is contingent upon that of the other. In her book Running from Color, Morenike’ explores the interwoven relationship between two sisters, whose lives, and bond, are challenged by the reality of a harsh and complex racial history in America. This historical novel tells the story of fear, hope, discovery and freedom through the lens of a Southern African-American family in the 1920s and 1930s. Centered around colorism, the main characters are sisters of the Grass family who are different shades of Black. Sisters Olive and Wheat Grass explore their identities through a host of challenges that strengthen their character, their faith in family and most importantly, their bond.
In her “Letter from the Author,” Morenike’ shares her powerful story of experiencing the effects of colorism as a child. Through this lens, she sets the stage for a thoughtful discussion on the depth of color diversity in the Black community and how it complicates the idealism of a monolithic Black culture. Morenike’ is a fresh contemporary writer who draws from the literary soul of rich African-American histories. She moves seamlessly through the characters’ voices allowing them to share their perspectives. She uses precise and moving detail to explore the lives of these two young women. Furthermore, she thoughtfully captures their different experiences through their perceived and real privileges in family, community and society.
A story in three parts, Morenike’ follows the lives of her protagonists Olive and Wheat Grass, sisters who share the same mother yet have different fathers. Olive’s father is a Black lay worker from Mound Bayou, MS, and Wheat’s father is a business owner from a prominent White family in Sugarlock, TN, the Henry family. The sisters’ tumultuous relationship is fueled by Wheat’s fear and ignorance, Olive’s hatred, and systemic racial discrimination, and the journey through their relationship frames the story. We follow Olive and Wheat through their youth and young adulthood as they learn about sex, violence, beauty, racial segregation and family. Narrated primarily through the voices of these two young women, Morenike’ takes readers on a journey of pain and triumph forcing us to re-evaluate the universal truths of identity and sense of belonging. Both young women are shielded from the reality of their existence by choice and by force. As the veil between reality and fantasy are torn, their internal struggle for wholeness and acceptance are revealed.
Morenike’ craftly weaves the story together through its’ most salient themes: sisterhood, acceptance and the search for freedom. These themes are smoothly integrated into the larger context of The Great Migration, the birthing of a long Civil Rights Movement, the NAACP in Mississippi, and the violence of racial segregation in America. As the two young women find their voices and hone their identities, they learn how deeply connected their journeys are in a world designed to create rifts in their relationship because of their place and experience in American society.
Our adventure through Olive’s and Wheat’s lives forces us to examine our own freedoms and confront our deep wounds. Morenike’ enriches the characters through historical accuracy while still making the text accessible to all readers. I love how Running from Color grabs you from the beginning and challenges ideas about the effect of colorism and nuances the complexity of black experiences. I highly recommend Running from Color to readers at any levels. It introduces important themes necessary for all walks of life. You won’t be able to put it down until the very last words.