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Feb 07, 2011

Jarrod rated it:

Completely awful. Tatum's book is thinly disguised racist propaganda devoid of actual statistics or legitimate quantification of the state of race relations in modern America. Worse than that, it does great harm to the ongoing struggle of race relations by crying wolf, mucking up the lines of communication, and creating resentment where none would otherwise exist.

Because she won't or can't point to empirical evidence of racism such as earnings per unit of time worked when adjusted fo More...

24 comments like (7 people liked it)

Dec 17, 2009

Melanie rated it:

As a caucasion mother of an adopted african american son...this book was a MUST READ. It teaches us how to have effective and constructive conversations about race. Recent generations of caucasions have taught their young children to avoid using race to describe other people. Unfortunately, all this does is create a society frightened to discuss race. Without effective communication on this topic, we will never achieve true peace and equality among different races and cultures.

0 comments like (5 people liked it)

Jul 02, 2011

Rae rated it:

I Really like this book. It was recommended to me at a District meeting about unpacking racism in the classroom. I find this book to be compelling, thought provoking, and an enjoyable read. With short chapters it is an excellent bedside reader. The author uses research as well as anecdotal evidence to discuss the process of racial identity development from childhood to adulthood among us folks in the US of A. She has a specific focus on the Black and White issue, but Tatum also embraces a bro More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Feb 25, 2008

Siri rated it:

Think you're not racist? THINK AGAIN. Hahaha sorry had to write that bc I felt like it was a catchy phrase to get you to read this review. ANYWAY... this gets 5 stars for content, not writing, but the content is sooooo valuable that it deserves a 5-star rating so everyone will read it. At times it might get a little pedantic, BUT if you can put your uber-white, privileged, upper-middle-class ego aside for the duration of this book, you will learn a LOT about WHY THE HECK all the black peole DO s More...

0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Jan 02, 2008

Saxon rated it:

As an important and foundational addition to the conversation of race in America in the last 10 years, Tatum's "Why Are All the Black Kids..." is a balanced mix of research, theory, and personal experiences that is easy to read and extremely accessible.
Tatum not only attempts to answer the question of her book but also touches on race issues beyond the black/white paradigm. Overall, Tatum constantly emphasizes the need for constant dialogue amongst not only white Americans with m More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jun 30, 2009

Kenghis rated it:

All in all it was a worthy read. It articulated a lot of ideas I've been having about how white Americans just don't notice race. It also provided a plausible account about why black adolescents seek out the friendship of other blacks. Tatum also sought to provide concrete solutions.

But the book had some serious short-comings. For instance, Tatum's quantitative evidence for the persistence of racism is ambiguous. She sites a study that notes that black ethnicity or hispanic origin is t More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Apr 20, 2011

Lauren rated it:

Ahistorical, psychologically reductivist piece of crap. I knew as soon as she claimed that Cleopatra was black that I wasn't going to like this book - she continuously fails to recognize race and other identities in the proper context, has a weak understanding of race as a social construct, and uses silly anecdotes to get across every point without citing relevant theory (or citing it properly, anyway - I cringed at her use of bell hooks). She tops it off by inserting a section called "beyo More...

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Apr 06, 2011

Rob rated it:

The first portion of the book focuses on being Black, and coming to terms with what Dr. Tatum, and many others in the Black community, see as America's inherent racism.

This part of the book talks a lot about "White Privilege." If you don't know what that is, basically it's that feeling that society is designed to fit you, and that causes you to take a lot of things for granted, and to not be sensitive to other people's feelings.

My whole problem with Dr. Tatum's More...

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Apr 17, 2011

Karen rated it:

I am currently taking a graduate course on the psychology of race. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and angry about some of the journal articles we were reading. Then I found this book. Ms. Tatum delivers the same information in a way that is not offensive to anyone, even if you don't agree with everything she says. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in racial identity development or interracial understanding.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 16, 2009

Régine Michelle rated it:

I first read this book in high school. At the time it was very a propos since racial identity issues were constantly in question at the elite New England prep school I attended. When I heard Dr. Tatum as a senior I was even more impressed by how closely her work spoke to the experience of so many and can be used as a tool to enlighten those skeptical or unwilling to think through the complexity of how race and education interrelate.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Nov 24, 2010

Marit rated it:

This book was published in the late 1990's but still is relevant for today's American society. Dr. Tatum includes multiple psychology and social science studies in this work along with published theory of child-adolescent-adult psychological development as it specifically relates to racial issues. The book mostly focuses on Black-White race issues because that is what Dr. Tatum is most familiar with, both personally and professionally. However, she does give a good chunk of space to other races, More...

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Jul 08, 2011

Karen rated it:

This book presents the basics of race relations in the United States and racial identity development. While I tend to prefer meatier books in terms of research, the anecdotal evidence and case studies are powerful. Tatum has written a well-researched, unapologetic book that explains the realities of living as a member of a minority group in the United States. While the book is largely centered on Black-White relations, she also points out that most people are both victims of oppression and benef More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Mar 23, 2011

David rated it:

This has been a valuable read for me, though I'm not sure Tatum ever even acknowledges the question that nagged at me all the way through: does the fact that positive images of non-"majority"* (white/male/wealthy/straight/physically able) culture are less common, mean that "minority"* individuals are duty-bound to become tokens of minority culture & history? Is it possible, to make the question personal, for a gay man to be an advocate for gay rights, to combat heterosexism More...

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Nov 15, 2011

Erica rated it:

Great book! A great systematic approach to racism, particularly interesting because it's from the perspective of a psychologist. Tatum explicitly addresses many, many misconceptions/stereotypes/questions about race, as the book title suggests, with straightforward responses, sometimes answers, sometimes redirections. Many of the stories come from Tatum's life as an educator and parent. Ok that's all awesome, but something that really got me about this book is the SUGGESTED READING section at the More...

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Feb 22, 2009

Ellyn rated it:

The author, a black female psychologist, explores a theory called racial identity development theory -- basically, how individuals come to have a conception of race in general and of their own membership in a particular racial group. It's a very insightful and thought-provoking book. It focuses mainly on blacks and whites but includes a chapter on other races and one on multiracial individuals. It also contains an interesting discussion of affirmative action. While reading this book, all I w More...

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Jul 19, 2007

Michelle rated it:

Interesting and thought provoking. Great read for anyone who is around 12-13 year olds - it gives perspective to idea of development of racial identity in adolescence.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jul 13, 2011

Debs rated it:

I had wanted to read this book since it came out in the late 1990s, because I had often wondered about this very question. I grew up in a Boston suburb that was part of the METCO program, a well-meaning but poorly executed way of integrating schools by bussing in African American students from Boston. I had some friends of color in high school, but thought of them as exceptions to the rule of the METCO kids, who I saw as an angry bunch who mainly kept to themselves AND always sat together in t More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Feb 11, 2011

Gloria rated it:

By the end of this book I wished I could just share from this woman's years of experience in conversing about racial issues. In her book she does this better than I have heard anyone do. She helped me understand how my college years shaped my racial identity something one does not ever really stop to think about. She gives a clear definition of institutional racism but also makes a compelling argument for the need to be anti-racist. This means to work to end white privilege for the betterment of More...

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Feb 25, 2010

Erin rated it:

I am shocked that I have not read this book before. This is a really heavy book, as it takes an in depth look at racial identity development in America; therefore, parts of it will make you feel uncomfortable. But it really is such an important topic for everyone (Black, White, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, American Indian, etc.) to think about and discuss. I read this as part of the UCTFA (United Colors of Teach For America) book club, and we had some interesting discussions about each se More...

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Jul 19, 2011

Gail rated it:

Reading this for Cultural Competence Training at my school.

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Aug 12, 2011

Shane added it

Thought provoking. Preachy and condescending. However, before giving this book a rating and a thorough review some thoughtful consideration (and maybe a re-read) is in order.

But I wonder, if I disagree with Tatum, am I a racist? If I agree, am I still a racist by way of my whiteness and white privilege? Can I be less racist by becoming more aware of my inherent racism? Or does that just make me more racist? Is it even possible for a white person to be UN-racist under Tatum's definit More...

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Apr 20, 2011

Kelly rated it:

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Nov 15, 2010

Jessica rated it:

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Dec 05, 2009

Cristin rated it:

This is an incredibly illuminating book that should be read and re-read by as many people as possible. Beverly Daniel Tatum breaks the psychological development of racial identity into several fascinating stages.

Clearly, racism is not a topic easily broached; Tatum approaches its volatile nature with what can only be described as an intelligent, confident, comprehensive and collected grace. There is nothing to fear when this topic is being addressed by an author so capable as she.
More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 25, 2010

Trish rated it:

I'm sure this is a great book for a college age white kid who grew up in a predominantly white area. There is a lot of stuff here that would be beneficial to those who have not yet been exposed to many racial conversations.

However, to a middle aged person living in a racially diverse city (Oakland), there was not much in this book for me. I am not the target audience. In Oakland, we talk about race, argue about race, and ignore race in turn. In my child's classroom there are: "A More...

3 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jan 23, 2008

Herbie added it

- That in study after study, when job search committees evaluate identical (theoretical) white and black resumes, they see the white candidate as more qualified, or a "better fit." This discrepancy becomes more and more pronounced the stronger the candidates are. Two weak candidates will be seen as just as weak. Of two middle candidates, the white candidate will be perceieved as slightly better. Of two very strong candidates, the white candidate will be seen as significantly better.
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Dec 10, 2007

J-Lynn rated it:

This book is a fantastic resource for teachers, parents, and caring adults who seek a more just society. The question of the title, Why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria?, is answered along with many other race-related questions that people are too embarassed to ask. The book focuses on guiding children and teenagers through a positive racial identity development process. Using open discussion and positive examples, adults can mitigate the effects of the negative stereo More...

1 comment like

Aug 25, 2007

Candice rated it:

When I read "Cry the Beloved Country" years ago, a line stuck out - "I have one great fear in my heart, that one day when they are turned to loving, they will find we are turned to hating." It is such a sad reflection on race relations, but it's also a view that is justifiable in light of all the horrible things that have been said and done to people of color.

Beverly Daniel Tatum has a more optimistic view of what is possible in this country. We need to talk, bu More...

1 comment like

Dec 26, 2007

Tina rated it:

A great book on racial identity -- v. interesting and informative. Even the stuff I was already familiar with, Tatum explains in such clear ways and gives lots of helpful examples, which I think will be useful when it comes to me teaching/talking about this stuff with other people. Tatum has experience as a university president, professor, and psychologist, so she's coming at this from a lot of angles. She is also extremely well read and well researched in this area, and she sites lots of studie More...

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Apr 07, 2009

Joyce rated it:

I really enjoyed reading this book on racial identity development. Tatum gives the reader language with which to consider the issues, and defines even the most basic concepts well (i.e. racism is more than one-to-one interactions of bigotry -- rather, it's systemic and historic injustice). She talk through racial development of both people of color AND whites, which was helpful to me. However, most of her discussions on identity development is set against the backdrop of majority culture. I wond More...

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