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Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race

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Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race

By: Beverly Daniel Tatum  

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Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5

Description:
Walk into any racially mixed high school and you will see Black youth seated together in the cafeteria. Of course, it’s not just the Black kids sitting together—the White, Latino, Asian Pacific, and in some regions, American Indian youth, are clustered in their own groups, too. The same phenomenon can be observed in college dining halls, faculty lounges, and in corporate cafeterias.What is going on here? Is this self-segregation a problem we should try to fix, or a coping strategy we should support? How can we get past our reluctance to talk about racial issues to even discuss it? And what about the other questions we and our children have about race?Beverly Daniel Tatum is a renowned authority on the psychology of racism. She asserts that we do not know how to talk about our racial differences: Whites are afraid of using the wrong words and being perceived as “racist.” Parents of color are afraid of exposing their children to painful racial realities too soon. Tatum understands that the vocabulary of race is loaded and that embarrassment and awkwardness often stymie conversations about this subject; yet, she believes that these obstacles can and must be overcome if we are to bring about change.In “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” And Other Conversations About Race, Dr. Tatum provides us with a new way of thinking and talking about race through the lens of racial identity. She explains that all of us have a racial identity and must strive to affirm it. For people of color, the development of a constructive racial identity requires being able to recognize and reject the bombardment of negative stereotypes and to embrace a history of resistance and empowerment rather than passive victimization. For Whites, the challenge is to engage in a process of racial identity development which leads to an awareness of White privilege and a determination to actively work against injustice—and this requires the strength to reject a system that awards them, and to reclaim the legacy of White allies. For many, this is uncharted territory. This book provides a road map for those who want to make the journey and better understand the racial dynamics of their daily lives.Tatum extends her ideas about racial identity development beyond the usual Black-White paradigm to embrace the unique circumstances of Latinos, American Indians, Asians, as well as biracial youth. Also included is a list of resources for further reading as well as a list of books for parents and teachers to recommend to children of all ages.Using real-life examples and the latest research, Tatum presents strong evidence that straight talk about our racial identities—whatever they may be—is essential if we are serious about facilitating communication across racial and ethnic divides. We have waited far too long to begin our conversations about race. This remarkable book, infused with great wisdom and humanity, tells us where to start.


Description:
Anyone who's been to a high school or college has noted how students of the same race seem to stick together. Beverly Daniel Tatum has noticed it too, and she doesn't think it's so bad. As she explains in this provocative, though not-altogether-convincing book, these students are in the process of establishing and affirming their racial identity. As Tatum sees it, blacks must secure a racial identity free of negative stereotypes. The challenge to whites, on which she expounds, is to give up the privilege that their skin color affords and to work actively to combat injustice in society.

Publisher: Basic Books

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
excellent and cheap. What else can I ask for? - when I saw the price of the book, I immediately thought it was a piece of junk. However, when I got it mailed to me, I was amazed!!!! It was excellent, just like new and so cheap...

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Relevant and valuable for all racial groups - The title of this book is provocative, and may lead some to be surprised by what they find in it.

It is not a book for white people who see the formation of racial identity groups---in the cafeteria or otherwise---as a problem and want confirmation that this is a separatist or "reverse racist" practice that should be denounced. It is a book for those who honestly want to understand this phenomenon and what it says about the society we live in. I've recommended this book to several white friends and all have said it's one of the most readable and insightful works they've read.

I admit I was skeptical about how relevant this book would be to me, as an Asian-American woman. In fact, it is one of the most valuable---dare I say "lifesaving"?---books I have ever read on race issues in the United States. Tatum explains the development of racial identity in a way that helped me understand for the first time that the confusion, anger, and isolation I have felt in trying to claim my Asian-ness is normal and a natural consequence of living in a culture where whiteness is the norm. She describes the pre-encounter stage, where people aren't fully aware of the consequences of being non-white, but nonetheless pick up on a perpetual feeling of otherness, of being less accepted. The encounter stage, where we realize the full implications of living in a white-dominated culture, is frequently accompanied by anger and a feeling of being cheated or betrayed. I have felt this keenly and it was a relief to have those feelings validated. Then there is the immersion/emersion stage, which I find myself in right now; wanting to be among Asians, to claim the heritage I feel I've had to deny for so long by learning everything I can about my history and culture, reading writings by Asian-American authors, etc. The fourth and fifth stages, which I haven't reached yet, are those associated with a healthier understanding of one's race and identity. And while I'm not there yet, I now recognize that I am on a journey and that I need not deny who I am, nor try to suppress my anger, nor feel guilty for wanting to be with people who understand me and have gone through this same process. The clarity I've achieved by reading this book has been tremendously valuable.

I think the genius of this book is that Tatum knows how to address both white people and people of color in a manner that is honest, personal, and engaging. I believe all those who approach these questions with an open mind and true willingness to listen and understand will come away having learned something they can use.

Customer Review: 4 out of 5
Some solid ideas from a big toon!! - The work that she put together in the form of this book is chuck full of groundbreaking ideas. I am in complete agreement with her on the process of identity acquisition. Where we diverge is when she shows entirely to much sensitivity going as far as attaching deeper meaning to a children's cartoon. Yes I know that cartoons where very racist back in the day, but I think that a multi million dollar modern day disney cartoon would be a bit of stretch to call racist. But if anyone can do it while being a dean of a $40,000 a year school Dr. Tatum most certainly can. I wonder if she told her son about the discrimatory practices that her school openly practiced for decades. Don't let my personal disgust stop you from reading this book its ideas are sane just wish I could say the same about the author.

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
5-Star Review - Fast shipping and received the item in excellent condition. Thank you; I look forward to ordering from you in the future!

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
A truly amazing book - Mrs. Tatum's book is a demonstration of great craftmanship in the form of literature. This book will open your mind to a new understanding of race, racism, prejudice, and priviledge. If you are thinking about whether to buy this book or not go ahead and buy it, you will not regret it. "Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together In The Cafeteria" is a masterpiece of a book.

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