When We Were Colored: A Mother's Story

by Eva Rutland

Recounting the civil rights era from the perspective of an African American wife and mother, this memoir travels from growing up in the segregated South before World War II to postwar family life in California. Told with humor and homespun wisdom, this is the story of an ordinary woman living through extraordinary times. Through the bad and the good, this account shows a family and the people they encounter—black and white—stumbling toward a more equal and just America.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Biography

164 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2007

Reviews

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in 1964 with the title, The Trouble with Being a Mama, Eva Rutland's account of growing up in Atlanta, living in Ohio, and finally settling and raising kids in Sacramento in the 1950 and 60s is full of humor and relatable moments.

I really appreciate the way she doesn't know what she's doing, that she's not a good housekeeper, and that she doesn't know whether it's better to join everything and do everything, or focus on her own home and just spending time with her kids. Also, there's the question: do I make sure my kids are surrounded by "their own people" or do I just let them hang out with whomever?

Then there's the discussion of race and integration, and racism. She's writing this during the Civil Rights movement, and she admits to a whole lot of feelings about it. Candid, honest, real.

Well worth the read.

[Aileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story. A real eye-opener for people who have no idea how people of color lived or what they faced before the civil rights act. I loved this story.

[Josiah Aston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep it real

I appreciated the frank honesty and matter of fact tone of the author. Written by a black woman about her family during the 1950s and 60s, it gives a real picture of what life as a "colored" person was like. She doesn't play the victim card, but also doesn't shy away from the injustice happening around them. The book was very humorous when it came to parenting, and the humor was complemented rather than diminished by the serious discussion of segregation and integration. The writing style was a bit hard to follow sometimes.

[Lyndsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made my heart hopeful. Rutland wrote this more than 50 years ago, and yet her assertion that our children's generation will not tolerate the racism and bigotry we have today gives me the hope that we can and will create a better, more kind community. The author raised her children in Sacramento, where I now live, and I'm glad to learn more about the history of my local community. Her writing is beautiful and at times comedic. Her mama's heart is recognizable and beautiful. I look forward to reading more of her work.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the book as I was a child growing up in the South during the time period of this book. I could relate to so much of what Mrs. Rutland and her family experienced....reminded me of my upbringing and my mother.... my mother had her own rules for discipline as well.

[Vickie Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

an enlightening read about racism in USA from a POV I don't have.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[preciousnoodle · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars

I was really surprised at how much I liked this, in a good way. Rutland's writing really has a way of being comprehensible without being simple or single-faceted.

[RYCJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bathe `em, feed `em, make `em behave...that's it! Advice none to shun coming from a "down-to-earth mama" telling in sophisticated fashion the fears, joys, and concerns of any mother, in any day. Very rich in content!

Eva had me so wrapped around her observations of motherhood I couldn't find a place to put my bookmark. Hardly expected to be assuaged with as many compelling messages in such turn-style natural rhythm. The opening - just too priceless as Eva honestly admits she has no clue about motherhood, thus her earliest lesson (on spirituality and God) sets the pace for the plethora of edifying lessons that commands respect in as much as it entertains. And that sex talk... gotta love it... One that belongs in the Mother's Hall of Fame of Sex Counsel Talks. Every page... Expressed like a saint. Composed like a scholar. But told like a mother. Absolutely loved it.

I don't think I've ever found a mother's story to be as necessary and agreeable to my soul as When We Were Colored.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading this book and it was by far one of the best books that I have read in a long time. I found this book very eloquent. This author not only touched on segregation issues but I found the book great for all mother who are just trying to raise their kids not only to be kind to all people but that nothing comes easy. I liked that she inspired her children to be anything they want to be and to go for because no matter what in live Black or White we all face obstacles that need to be overcome. These obstacles will made us all stronger and will help us to be better people for it. I loved this book. I would also like to note that it was a pleasure to meet this lady and her granddaughter, Not only did I find them both funny and warm but very inspirational. I look forward to reading her sequel.

[Paul Dinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never would have read this but for my book club. I found a lot of echoes with my own experience. My father was like the father in this story, only he was positive, my father wasn't. He used his snark as a bludgeon so he could be number one. The worst victim was my mother of it, but it didn't stop there. I think that this book is about how in the raising of children there is common ground with everyone, in that this book is correct.

[Lenny Husen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 and a 1/2 stars. A memoir of a young black mother raising her children in Sacramento, CA in the 1950's. It was fine, on the dull side, but I really liked the Chapter, "Trouble With Papa" which is why it gets an extra 1/2 star. This is a "nice book," nothing controversial at all here, not today and not when it was first published. The author seems to have had a wonderful life and a beautiful family, and to be grateful for what she has had.

[Diane Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short quick read. I enjoyed reading the story of another mother and her children. She wrote this back in the 1960's to help other mothers see that families are families no matter who they are. I saw her learn and grow and even admit what she would of done differently if she could. Great story.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of short pieces by a black mother who grew up in a segregated Atlanta raising her children in an integrated northern California town. Excellent writing that's both poignant and funny. Part of Rutland's point in sharing these stories was to show that mommas are all the same, regardless of race, and she succeeds in doing this.

[Michelle Lemaster]

This author will be coming to Searles Elementary School to speak on Wednesday January 14th at 3pm. If anyone wants to join me to meet this amazing woman, let me know so that I can RSVP more than one.

[Mishele · Rating 4 out of 5]

My life is so different from the author's, but I was pleasantly surprised to feel so connected to her. Mothering is a common sentiment that we all can share and relate upon.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eva Rutland has a clear narrative that was refreshing, and the setting was interesting. Mostly, it related to being a mother, and so much of that hit home.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful,enjoyable and inspiring. I'm glad Eva Rutland shared her experiences of life and family life!

[Wendy Cawley · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the perspective was interesting, I did not find the story telling very captivating.

[Mary Wherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to read about family growing up at the same time I did.