Why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria
"Why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria" by Beverly Daniel Tatum Ph.D. is a book of many subjects, theories, ideas, as well as opinions that are discussed, challenged and criticized. Are we free from racism? Why, are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria? These questions I hope to answer for myself and for others. One of Beverly Tatum's major topics of discussion is racial identity. Racial identity is the meaning each of us has constructed or is constructing about what it means to be a white person or a person of color in a race-conscious society. (Tatum, pp Xvii) She talks about how many parents hesitate to talk to their children about racism because of embarrassment and the awkwardness of the subject. I agree with her when she says that parents don't want to talk about racism when they don't see a problem. They don't want to create fear or racism where none may exist. It is touchy subject because if not gone about right, you can perhaps steer someone the wrong way. Another theory she has on racial identity is that other people are the mirror in which we see ourselves. (tatum pp18) "The parts of our identity that do capture our attention are those that other people notice, and th
The last point I will discuss is the point she makes of certain terms being misused, terms that she has heard directed towards her as well as others. Tatum thinks that the world is wrong for using derogatory as well as slang terms, which may be offensive to other ethnic, religious, or any group for that matter. She states that she prefers the name "Black" as opposed to the name "African American". "I refer to people of acknowledged African Descent as Black...The term is more inclusive than African American because there are Black people in the United States who are not African American -Afro-Caribbean's, for example-yet are targeted by racism, and are identified as Black." (Tatum pp 15) Her reason for this is that people that are for example Afro-Caribbean's are not African Americans but would probably be classified as so.
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Approximate Word count = 1340
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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