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"Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?": A Psychologist Explains the Development of Racial Identity | 
 enlarge | Creator: Beverly Daniel Tatum
Publisher: Basic Books
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
Buy New: $13.27
You Save: $2.68 (17%)
New (6) Used (10) from $5.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  80 reviews
Sales Rank: 453582
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Paperback
Edition: 5th Anniv., Revised
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 4.9 x 0.7
Dewey Decimal Number: 305.800973
ASIN: B000PFUCR6
Publication Date: January 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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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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| Customer Reviews: Read 75 more reviews...
 Great Read December 19, 2008
I initially began reading this book for an education psychology class, unaware that this book would hold the answers to the many questions of my childhood. With every chapter it was as though I was looking in a mirror. As Dr. Tatum discussed the 5 stages of racial identity development I found myself chanting, "Amen!" in agreement. This book allowed me to put labels on my personal experiences with racism. (Currently I'm in the internalization stage.) In addition it made me reflect on why I too had a front row seat at the "Black Table" in elementary, middle, high school, and college. Overall this is a well developed easy read on a not-so easy topic.
excellent and cheap. What else can I ask for? October 9, 2008
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...
Relevant and valuable for all racial groups August 6, 2008
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.
Some solid ideas from a big toon!! June 13, 2008
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.
5-Star Review March 4, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Fast shipping and received the item in excellent condition. Thank you; I look forward to ordering from you in the future!
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