POST #4: "WHY ARE ALL THE BLACK KIDS SITTING TOGETHER IN THE CAFETERIA?" Beverly Daniel Tatum, PhD

"Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together In the Cafeteria" Beverly Daniel Tatum PhD

Extended Comments

This week was focused on the reading "Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together In The Cafeteria" by Beverly Daniel Tatum, PhD. Throughout the text, the author makes several points regarding her definition of the word "racism," contrasting it with the term "prejudice." In Tatum's work, she clearly states her opinions on these topics, breaking down and unraveling the causes and roots of certain prejudices, the effects of a racist society and who it targets and benefits, and the language we use in discussing the topics of social justice and ethics. 

    In looking through this week's blog posts, I enjoyed reading through Gabrielle's. She chose to focus on quotes and connections within Tatum's text. To begin, Gabrielle agrees with one of the author's opinions about language pertaining to social and racial topics. I too feel that it can be confusing to follow and keep up to date on the appropriate terms to use for certain social groups. It feels like this terminology can change so quickly in the current age. Gabrielle later connects Tatum's work to Allan Johnson's book "Privilege, Power, and Difference," explaining the similarities of the stances both Tatum and Johnson share in their opinions on racism being something embedded into our system. Gabrielle does a wonderful job at connecting both readings. One of Johnson's main points pertained to those of the privileged class needing to become aware of their privilege. Tatum puts this in a similar way, in saying that those of the privileged class may not even be aware of the benefits they receive from the racist system.

In reading Gabrielle's post, I also recalled more of Johnson's beliefs in the Tatum text. In her section relating to language, she states "We have to be able to talk about it (racism) in order to change it." Johnson also felt passionately about needing to use words such as "racism" and "oppression" in order to have the discussions needed to make change. 

Gabrielle shared many of the same feelings that I experienced in reading through this text. She mentions how omitting and distorting information has lead generations to have prejudices against one another. I can agree this is something I have experienced to varying degrees with people in my life. It is great to be able to have the opportunities to receive an education that tries to remove the biases from society.

I was interested in Tatum's definitions of "racism" and "prejudice." I am curious if there are people who also agree with her distinctions of the two words or if anyone has a differing definition of either.