What types of conflict are presented in The Color of Water by James McBride?

Arguably the main conflict in the story is racial conflict. Ruth, a white Jewish woman, chooses
to marry Peter, an African-American man, in defiance of her family's wishes. Ruth's family
cannot accept her choice of husband, and they disown her immediately. Sadly, this was by no
means an uncommon reaction at that time. In those days, people from different races weren't
supposed to associate with each other, let alone fall in love and get married. Yet Ruth has made
the brave decision to follow her...