"Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?": A Psychologist Explains the Development of Racial Identity | 
 enlarge | Author: Beverly Daniel Tatum
Creator: Beverly Daniel Tatum
Publisher: Basic Books
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
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Rating:  79 reviews
Sales Rank: 7592
Media: Paperback
Edition: 5th Anniv., Revised
Pages: 320
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.5 x 1
ISBN: 0465083617
Dewey Decimal Number: 305.800973
EAN: 9780465083619
Publication Date: January 7, 2003
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Condition: Cover creased, mild corner wear, otherwise light wear, no rips, folds or page markings.
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Amazon.com Review
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.
Product 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 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 all the other questions we and our children have about race? Beverly Daniel Tatum, a renowned authority on the psychology of racism, 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" while parents of color are afraid of exposing their children to painful racial realities too soon. 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, has already helped hundreds of thousands of readers figure out where to start.
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 Building Change Agents July 28, 2003
Sara Samples (Oshkosh, WI United States)
31 out of 35 found this review helpful
In the 1999 introduction to the revised edition of "Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together In The Cafeteria?" And Other Conversations About Race: A Psychologist Explains the Development of Racial Identity, Beverly Daniel Tatum explains that she wrote the book not only to answer questions like the title question but also "to help others move beyond fear, beyond anger, beyond denial to a new understanding of what racism is, how it impacts all of us, and ultimately what we can do about it" (pg. ix). For persons of standard average European background surrounded, for the most part, by others who share this delineation, race is often the elephant in the living room; everyone knows it is there, but nobody is talking about it. Reading this book forces one to look at the elephant; however, not everyone will agree upon what it is they are seeing.
Tatum divides the text into five parts, unequal in both length and value. Many white readers may never get past the first chapter, as the definition of racism included will make them too uncomfortable. Understanding and accepting the described definition of racism as a system of advantage is central to distilling meaning from much of what follows. As long as readers continue to resist the concept of institutional racism, the subsequent sections on black identity (part 2), white identity (part 3), multiracial identity (part 4), and cross racial dialogue (part 5) have little meaning. Although it is necessary to begin the book with a discussion of terminology, the idea that only white people can be racist immediately sends up red flags to those raised to believe racism is a personal evil, born of vicious intent. This makes using Tatum's book in an educational context difficult, unless readers work to overcome these feelings and, at the very least, suspend disbelief regarding the definitions for the duration of the book.
Section two, "Understanding Blackness in a White Context," is a decent explanation of the work of Cross, explaining the stages of the development of racial identity. To make this section more readable and interesting, Tatum adds personal stories to illustrate the stages. For white people working with black children, teens, or adults, reading this section may illuminate previously misunderstood issues. Section three, however, truly sets this book apart from other books on racism and minority identity. "Understanding Whiteness in a White Context" discusses the identity formation of white individuals as well as affirmative action. Readers who were distinctly uncomfortable with the first section may feel somewhat soothed by the chapter on white identity, recognizing themselves more easily in the portrait of a child raised to be "colorblind" than in the definition of racism. This chapter is important because it shows the system of racism affecting white people as well as people of colour. As part of the "norm" of American society, seen by others as individuals rather than representatives of a group, white people have the luxury of generally not having to think about institutional racism. Commonly, when they come to accept their role in the system, the reaction is guilt. Tatum reassures her readers that this guilt is normal and that there are productive ways to get past the guilt and move towards dialogue both with whites and people of colour. The following chapter on affirmative action may ruffle a few feathers, but no one ever said change was supposed to be easy.
The fourth section, dealing with multiracial and other racial identities, is by far the weakest area of the book. After the in-depth, personal exploration of black and white identity, it feels as if Tatum is merely giving lip service to Latinos, American Indians, and Asian Pacific Americans. The text is dry and reads awkwardly, as if the author herself is not quite comfortable with her role in describing the ideas discussed. The chapter on multiracial identity is better, as Tatum gets back into her comfort zone of dealing with black and white, however, it is stunted and serves more as a catalyst for further investigation than as an actual source of information.
Part five is made up of the short but inspirational chapter on creating cross racial dialogues. This chapter could stand alone as a motivation for social change. Using quotes from "real people" as well as researchers, Tatum encourages everyone to "continually break the silence about racism whenever we can" despite fear, frustration, and anger (1999, pg. 193). Following the pep talk is a very thorough and well thought out appendix of starting points for dialogue. Having viewed/read several of the mentioned videos and books listed, it is my opinion that this section is a wonderful resource. Even if readers are never quite comfortable with Tatum's discussion of racial issues, they should not hesitate to delve into the resources listed at the back of this book.
Overall, this book is an excellent start towards achieving the goals of cross racial understanding and dialogue, provided white readers push past their initial squeamishness regarding the sociological definition of racism as an institution. Beverly Tatum's straightforward discussion of race gives readers a knowledge base from which they can spring confidently into conversations. While no book can in and of itself remedy societal ills, "Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" does the next best thing; it inspires and empowers change agents.
A critical look at racial awareness and identity development April 14, 2005
Monika (Davis, California)
43 out of 50 found this review helpful
Not until recently have I, as a 20-year-old white American college student, really become aware of the extent of my own white privilege and what it means to be white in America today. Even the fact that I was able to go for so long without recognizing the significance of race in my life is a manifestation of my white privilege. Children of color, however, are generally confronted by the fact of their race at a much earlier age. Their process of identity development differs significantly from that of most white children. This is the issue psychologist Beverly Tatum discusses in her book. She opens with the question that forms the book's title: "Why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria?" It is common to see high school students self-segregate, socializing in groups composed mostly of others of the same racial background. But why is this?
Because Tatum herself is a black woman, she predominantly addresses the identity development of black individuals. She cites psychologist William Cross in describing the stages of development: pre-encounter, when young children simply absorb the messages they receive from those around them, not yet having reason to question them; encounter, when an individual first becomes aware of racism through some "event or series of events that force the young person to acknowledge [its] personal impact" (55); immersion/emersion, when the individual works actively to learn about and affirm their own racial identity; and internalization/commitment, when the individual has established a positive personal identity for him/herself. Throughout, Tatum offers explanations for the behaviors many black adolescents may engage in which may puzzle their white counterparts, including the reason for student self-segregation along racial lines. Tatum also provides tips for black parents looking for ways to help their children successfully deal with the racism they encounter and develop a positive sense of self.
Tatum then goes on to discuss the identity development of white people. Because white individuals are a part of the dominant culture in the United States, they are often oblivious to the fact that they, too, are a part of a racial group. "But I'm just normal!" they may say (93). However, this mode of thinking can and does cause significant problems for whites and people of color alike. Tatum analyzes these problems and their roots, and explains how white parents can raise their children to have a positive awareness of race. She debunks the popular idea that it is best to be "color-blind," revealing the damage this ideology does and why racial awareness, when free of negative prejudices and stereotypes, is actually a good thing. Tatum also discusses, more briefly, the identity development of Latino/Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, and biracial individuals, and the issues unique to each ethnic grouping.
White readers may have some trouble with this book for a variety of reasons. Some may be offended, as several other reviews here clearly demonstrate. The book raises issues most white people have never had to think about before. When confronted with these ideas for the first time, it can feel like a personal attack. But Tatum is not engaging in white-bashing or "reverse racism" as some might claim. Nowhere does she accuse all white people of being actively racist. In fact, she points out that the majority are not. Her primary concern here is the ingrained cultural behaviors people often engage in without even realizing that they may be, and most likely are, hurting someone of another race. It is these more subtle, more insidious manifestations of racism that Tatum seeks to bring to our attention, so that we can all work to weed these often-unconscious behaviors from our lives.
Another common reaction among white readers is to be overwhelmed with a sense of guilt at the realization that one's past actions, done unconsciously and without any racist intent, were actually hurtful and offensive to people of color around them. The biggest piece of advice I can offer readers who find themselves experiencing such a reaction is this: Do not beat yourself up for things you may have done in the past without knowing better; Tatum acknowledges that she herself has made mistakes, and a sincere apology is usually sufficient to gain forgiveness, if it has not already been granted without your asking. And even if it is not, you cannot change the past and you will accomplish nothing by dwelling on it. Rather, use your newfound awareness to move forward in a more positive way.
"Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" is a profoundly important book. One other reviewer stated, and I agree, that this should be required reading for all American high school students. And I will go further to say that many of the issues Tatum writes about here should be discussed with children at even younger ages. It is never too early to begin educating one's child about the realities of race and racism, and help them form a healthy personal identity. While this book's primary importance may be in bringing awareness to white readers, it should in no way be restricted to a white readership. People of color - be they Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian American - will find plenty of worthwhile material here as well. Throughout her discussions on race, Tatum offers readers of color tools they can use to develop and maintain a positive sense of self in the midst of a racist environment. I highly urge everyone - and I do mean everyone - to read this book.
The best book on race relations since 'From Superman to Man' November 23, 1999
Ellen Brown (San Diego, CA USA)
83 out of 100 found this review helpful
Dr. Tatum explains beautifully many previously undiscussed aspects of race relations in America. But she also goes beyond what IS to explain WHY it is. Her explaination of how each of us develop our own sense of racial and ethnic 'self' provides great food for thought. Tatum's background, area of expertise, experience and sensitivity combine to make her the perfect author of such a work. She gave me insight into my own long-held feelings of guilt about being a benificiary of white priviledge. Particularly poignant were stories of how she discussed racial issues with her own children as they were growing. Every chapter so intrigued me that I would like to read an entire book dedicated to each of the topics. In a perfect world, this book would be required reading for all Americans and should be assigned to every high school student in this country. I don't remember the last time I was as moved by a book and I can't wait for her next one! Thank you, thank you, thank you Dr. Tatum! Each of us who is ready to take a look inside ourselves and be completely honest about our own biases needs to read this book! It will make us better Americans, better humans and better friends.
A must read for understanding who we are as Americans October 12, 1999
Judith Markoff Hansen (judith@cheerful.com) (California)
40 out of 47 found this review helpful
If you are to read one book on American culture this year, let it be this one. This is the clearest, smartest and most accurate description of race, and racism, in America and it should be required reading for every student throughout the country. Working years in urban high schools, being white and seeing hopes and dreams grow and then be dashed with so many of our kids, I have struggled to understand the nature of our culture and who our kids are, and why they behave as they do. This book is the first that really makes perfect sense, and I will give it as a Christmas gift to as many people as I can afford. I hope Tatum provides a followup that focuses on our hardcore, urban poor kids, really the most misunderstood, feared and forgotten in this sad but accurate commentary on our culture. There is still so much to be said, and she is able to say it clearly and wisely.
Vital handbook for our country March 14, 2000
27 out of 31 found this review helpful
This book ended up being both informative and intersting, a set of adjectives which frequently do not walk together. However, Dr. Tatum has masterfully tackled a controversial topic, explained it in a perfect blend of academic and common-sense language, and put forth a pro-active plan for thinking which is innovative and exciting. This book starts us from the beginning by deconstructing the very ideas of "white" and "black," and by discussing the terminology itself. From there, she begins to talk about social models of behavior and more complex ideas, but she never loses the "essential" nature of her subject. Dr. Tatum's book is perfect for anyone who ever plans to have children or who works with them, because it deals with the effects that race relations have on kids. This under-studied field is, in my opinion, one of the most important because it is children who are harmed the most by polarized race relationships. Dr. Tatum discusses tools for dealing with children throughout the book, citing practical examples and giving the reader a place to go from the last page of the book into real life application. Highly recommended.
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