Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria

This is one of those rare transformative reads. Thoroughly researched and beautifully written. Dissects the stages of racial identity development as well as those of white awakening. A must-read for every educator.

I had the opportunity to have this book as Church/Community discussion group on racial diversity. Ms. Tatum has layed out what African Americans experience in their lives and ways in which Caucasians can understand what they go through as to say lets go through a day in the life of...

I enjoyed reading Dr. Tatum's explanation of why black kids sit together in the cafeteria. She breaks it down with an easy to understand rational for racial identity development, oppositional identity development and academic achievement.

Bieng familiar with Tatum's work as a former student at Westfield State college, I was not surprised that she would write such a straight to the heart book on a very real topic. Kudos to you Professor Tatum.

Straightforward and easily digestible. Every page had some specific takeaway for me in terms of a new way of looking at things, suggestions for ways to talk about race, and most importantly it challenged me to realize that the real impetus for my anti-racist work is my own self. I must do this work for my own healing.

As someone who has worked in education, from Jr High through College age, for almost 10 years now, this is the best book on racial and ethnic identity development I have found yet. Recommend for anyone working with students.

I bought this book for a Multicultural Counseling class. It was a really interesting, thoughtful treatment of the subject. Tatum helped me to think through my experiences with racism/classism and provided many new insights. The book is very readable, and I would highly recommend it. I look forward to discussing it with people in my class.

I personally didn't find the book that interesting, I had read a small section for it for a sociology course and I didn't really find it interesting. It wasn't the kind of book I would typically pick up and read in my spare time but other than that it's okay.

My Book Club read this book and it definitely inspired a lot of good conversation. However, I don't think it's the best-written book. Some of the material seems very repetitive. All-in-all, it was an okay book.

This book isn't bad and it raises some worthwhile points to consider. The author holds very many strong biases of her own which cloud her commentary (like "African-Americans can't be racist"), so be prepared to take the more inflammatory comments with a shaker of salt. Like others who make their money off of racism and divisiveness, she focuses on differences to the exclusion of similarities, and blames all the world's problems on somebody else. That said, I have listened to her lecture and she seems less bitter in person. The harsh tones in parts of the book are most likely a limitation of print in which only a portion of the message comes through, because again, she makes some good points despite her delivery. Racism continues to be a problem in America that is perpetuated by all sides. I read this book for a graduate class in multicultural counseling. Compared to the white bashing in the course's main text by Sue & Sue, Dr. Tatum's work seems practically objective. If you are looking for MLK type inspiration that will overcome prejudice and bring people together, this book definitely isn't it. But if you remain objective and read it to better appreciate a different perspective, it is worth a look.

I found the book very enlightening. Dr. Tatum speaks about the topic we sometimes find uncomfortable, the subject of race. Her explanation of racial identity and racism are presented well and non threatening.

This is a question anyone working secondary schools in diverse neighborhoods has asked. This book delves deeply into the concept of personal identity and its impact on young people. This book should be examined thoroughly as it address es many of the social and emotional factors that impact a student's ability to learn.

It's another one of those books about white privilege but she does a very good job presenting it. This is good especially for parents of any race and teachers. I appreciate reading a transparent account of another world view.

As you review all the "reviews" thus far written, you get a sense that Dr. Tatum's book has gotten people thinking and taking stands. I appreciate the straightforwardness with which Tatum introduces her subject -- racism. Sure, we can disagree with her definitions and use of rhetorics. But she made the definition clear and prominent enough so that we can disagree. It is hard to measure oneself by a wishy-washy yard-stick. Tatum provided a solid yard stick by which you may examine your own stance, assumptions, and conclusions. In reading the reviews, especially the critical ones, it struck me that even those who strongly diagreed with Tatum understood her basic premises and her arguments. It is upon that understanding that we can disagree. I applaud the author for clearly laying out her arguments on a controversial issue.

The main strength of the book, to me, is in fact the redefinition of racism. You don't have to agree with it, but you do now need to examine whether a "system of advantage" exists and if it does, whether it should be included in the definition of racism. I am neither white nor black, so I cannot speak of black/white issues in first-person. But I come from a family with four generations of academics. The system of school, academia, and education benefits me greatly, and I suit the system particularly through my upbringing. By analogy, I am open to the idea that past explicit systems of racial inequality do not lose its effect in a mere generation or two, especially for the black race. (Sorry to be imprudent, but Comedian Louis C.K. had this great line about, "White people want to add 100 years to every year it has been since slavery.") On the flip side, I came from a country and culture with western colonization in recent history (<200 years), foreign invasion and practical enslavement (<100 years), but not being a "minority" in my own country, people re-bound. Through my reading, I am questioning and examining my own assumptions as well as that of the author's. To that extent, I think the book is doing its most important job -- make you think.

The weakest point of the book is also in relation to the definition. The author included both internal belief and external system of advantage into her definition of racism, but only spent significant time exploring the system, but not belief. The author talks much about how the environment shapes the individual, but not how the beliefs of an individual (particularly, a black person) can alter the environment and his/her own fate. It places the black individual in a powerless position, except through the path of activism in racial issues (versus other achievements). The book largely ignores the reverse stereotypes that many whites feel from the blacks. The book simply does not name it, or implies that it doesn't count as "racism" because there is no "systematic advantage". Whatever the name, minority stereotype of the majority exists, and it should/can be addressed. I am a racial minority, and I hold such stereotypes.

The integration of identity theory with the racial issue is a valiant attempt. Sure it's not perfect, but it is a working hypothesis and I applaud the author's ability to present it in a way that is understandable and arguable.

The weakness of the identity theory presented is the overemphasis that we develop positive self identity only (or at least, first) by "sitting together" with our own kind. By that suggestion, must whites first sit whites during teen years, and rich with rich, poor with poor, woman with woman, man with man, athletes with athletes, nerds with nerds? Sure, that IS a big part of identity forming. The cost of "sitting with your own kind" is that your development gets stuck in a rut. You have few exposures to fresh ideas, ideas that would conflict with each of our narrow and individual views (and thus stimulate you to oppose, assimulate, or digest). Cognitive theories of child development places much emphasis on "cognitive conflict" in conceptual development. Though the author do advocate cross-racial dialogue, it struck me that the author overtly favors within-racial identity development, particularly for the black youth. Perhaps the argument is that blacks are "conflicted" enough by a white society, so they need not seek more. Are the black youth in America so oppressed so as not to be able to reap much benefit from other groups in identity formation? I don't know. I do question the argument "same kind first, and then cross lines" ... My gut feeling is that both should proceed more or less simultaneously.

Each of us, as readers, have our own ongoing identity development in relation to the question of race. The author, through this book, is beginning a cross-racial talk. Her clarity and honesty in the positions she had taken confront our minds, as if a "different" person is suddenly sitting at our lunch table". To that extent, I greatly appreciate the book, even while disagreeing with some ideas, agreeing with some ideas, and still digesting others.

I ordered this book for a graduate class. Apparently the order says it is the 5th edition from 2017, but what I have is the first edition. It looks exactly like this one, but it is very different. I only just realized because I also purchased the audio (audible) version. I find that listening is better than reading for me because I've been having trouble with my eyes. As I was listening, I was also trying to follow along. The words are completely different! So, I went into my orders and clicked on what I "purchased" and it says the 5th edition. But what I have says 1997, with an epilogue in 2003. NOT the same book! The class starts on Saturday and only goes for 3 Saturdays, so it is too late to get the correct book. the store needs to be more careful when they are shipping books out that have more than one edition. NOT happy!

As a white woman I certainly feel thrown under the bus reading this book. I would hope that learning from my parents how to behave, dress, finish school etc got me my jobs, and that I didn't get them because I'm privileged. White people also have to conform to the rules of society if we want to eat. I certainly don't feel angry or ashamed of being white. The author might have gotten in to why racism is so strong today. Personal responsibility, you don't need that when you can always claim racism.

In “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?”, Beverly Daniel Tatum dissects the racial phenomena of clustering. To do this, she analyzes the racial climate of the United States and investigates the roots and ramifications of racism in America. To begin her discussion, Tatum first clarifies that racial categories were originally created “in the service of oppression”. As she moves on to analyze the multiple factors into why children of color tend to group together in social situations, Tatum cites the realization of the racial prejudices that permeate our society and the “averse racism” of non-POC acquaintances as an impetus for this clustering of the races. Tatum does a spectacular job organizing her research and relaying information to the reader in an original, captivating way.
While Tatum’s insights in “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together?” are informative and compelling, I felt a tad disappointed with the ending. Tatum admits that the path to a diverse society free from racial oppression is unclear; she even claims “words alone are insufficient”, emphasizing that sympathy and understanding without action is, in fact, ineffectual. However, she does not provide many possible solutions to these issues, giving the book an overwhelming sense of a lack of action. All in all, I found it to be a great introduction into the conversation on racial identity development and a nice way to encourage discussion.

Dr. Tatum has written a book that explores what it means to be black and finding yourself as a black person. While I was reading this book, I felt as if Dr. Tatum was talking directly to me when she was discussing identity,and how blacks are taught to think one way about themselves. She also went in to how black kids also may have their identity affected because of what they see in the media. It was also interesting to me that she went into other minorities, and how they were able to find their identities. Dr. Tatum also gives personal accounts of either how her children went through the different stages of finding their identity, or how she found herself, and that really helped to enhance the book. Her accounts that she included from her white students on what they felt like it meant to be an ally and their ideas when it came to racism. I also liked the definition that she gave to racism, because that is something that many people struggle with. Dr. Tatum writes her book in a way that will help open dialogues about race in general. I would recommend this book to be read in a class about racism because of different doors that her book opens.

Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?

We have all asked this question. You may have asked it out loud or just inside your head, but the questions of racial identity are still around. Though it has been over a hundred and fifty years since the Civil War and over a half century since the Civil Rights movement, we still live in a socially segregated country.

The first early interactions children have with ethnically diverse populations are impersonal and superficial, usually originating from visual media. This confusion continues into their school years. They struggle understanding the differences between them and their friends. Many white parents, who have grown up avoiding racial confrontations thus evading racial development, try to sweep these issues under rug instead of helping their understand the race in our society.
Beverly Daniel Tatum does an amazing job taking us through the steps of racial identity development. From the first days of preschool through adulthood, we all have questions. Over time the questions may change slightly, but we all seeking who we are and our lives interact.

I am glad I read this book after my college days; I definitely do not think I was ready back then to grasp the words of Dr. Tatum. Racism is still a huge part of our society, even 15 years later after this book was published. Yes, a lot has changed: the 9/11 attacks made us painfully aware of our vulnerability, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq has changed our image around the world, Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice served as the Secretary of State, and Barack Obama is our President, but racism is still the reality of our society. However, a quick scan of our country's wealth, politics, media, prisons, education system, and so forth will give anyone enough evidence to see that racism and discrimination are not only present in our society but it is the fuel on which society runs.

Anyone interested in understand the core of racial identity development will benefit from reading this book. "To find one's racial or ethnic identity, one must deal with negative stereotypes, resist internalizing negative self-perceptions, and affirm the meaning of ethnicity for oneself."

Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?

We have all asked this question. You may have asked it out loud or just inside your head, but the questions of racial identity are still around. Though it has been over a hundred and fifty years since the Civil War and over a half century since the Civil Rights movement, we still live in a socially segregated country.

The first early interactions children have with ethnically diverse populations are impersonal and superficial, usually originating from visual media. This confusion continues into their school years. They struggle understanding the differences between them and their friends. Many white parents, who have grown up avoiding racial confrontations thus evading racial development, try to sweep these issues under rug instead of helping their understand the race in our society.
Beverly Daniel Tatum does an amazing job taking us through the steps of racial identity development. From the first days of preschool through adulthood, we all have questions. Over time the questions may change slightly, but we all seeking who we are and our lives interact.

I am glad I read this book after my college days; I definitely do not think I was ready back then to grasp the words of Dr. Tatum. Racism is still a huge part of our society, even 15 years later after this book was published. Yes, a lot has changed: the 9/11 attacks made us painfully aware of our vulnerability, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq has changed our image around the world, Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice served as the Secretary of State, and Barack Obama is our President, but racism is still the reality of our society. However, a quick scan of our country's wealth, politics, media, prisons, education system, and so forth will give anyone enough evidence to see that racism and discrimination are not only present in our society but it is the fuel on which society runs.

Anyone interested in understand the core of racial identity development will benefit from reading this book. "To find one's racial or ethnic identity, one must deal with negative stereotypes, resist internalizing negative self-perceptions, and affirm the meaning of ethnicity for oneself."

This was an excellent book that tackled race relations in America in a way that challenged without attacking and that informed without being condescending. I learned so much about the psychology of racial identity along with a sense of how others outside my racial identity maybe approaching their world.
I am greatly appreciative of this book and would recommend it to anyone who has questions or concerns about where we are today as regards race and racism.

Very good read to expose your self to possibilities of human interaction when dealing with the race topic. Each individual prespective may differ depending your background and experience. A book for all to read.

Maybe if I read this book before reading books from Amos Wilson, Claud Anderson, John Henrik Clarke, Dr. Ben, Chancellor Williams, I'd like it. This book is so ABC. I skipped a few chapters because it got so boring. This book is for the easily offended.

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.

Beverly Tatum's Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria is truly a powerful read that calls to attention the seriousness of race issues on America, and definitely makes one rethink his or her views.

Tatum starts with an introduction that tackles one of America's most difficult questions: What is the definition of Racism? She provides many examples and ultimately comes up with the answer that Racism is privilege based on skin color.

Towards the beginning of the book, Tatum captures the reader's attention by providing examples of the types of questions that young white children ask concerning black children. While comical, she also draws attention to that fact that white parents will usually hush up the child when the child asks questions concerning skin color or obvious different physical features. She contributes the silence that white kids grow up with to why it is so difficult for White Americans and people of a minority race to openly talk about Racism.

She also goes into length explaining why all the Black kids - or any minority group of kids all sit together in the cafeteria - it's purely because of comfort. She justifies that by writing that not only do all the Black kids sit together, so do all the Asians, Hispanics, athletes, etc.

She touches on the subject of bi-racial children as well. She writes about the initial discomfort bi-racial couples face, family prejudices, and raising bi-racial children. She points out that raising a bi-racial child in an all white community or an all black community is detrimental to the child's growth. The best way is to expose the child to both sides as much as possible.

Tatum's book is a must read for anyone who questions race in America - which is everyone. It is a fast read and definitely an eye-opener.

Adults, both White and of color, search for an effective and appropriate approach to discussing racial issues with their children. Often there is a social awkwardness that can result when adults attempt to break the silence because if the "wrong" words are utilized, there is a painful possibility of being perceived as a racist. In addition, some adults are torn between wanting to protect their children from the pain of racial realities and wanting to prepare them effectively to cope with a potentially hostile world. Buttressed by her twenty-years of experience conducting research and teaching a course entitled "The Psychology of Racism" Beverly Daniel Tatum, Ph.D. empowers her readers to break the silence of racism. There is a need to have meaningful, productive dialogue to raise consciousness awareness of racism, within ourselves as well as the environment, to lead to effective action and social change. "In order for there to be meaningful dialogue fear, whether of anger or isolation, must eventually give way to risk and trust" (p. 200). Masterfully interwoven throughout the book are examples of responses and concerns from an array of sources, enriching the quality of the book. Dialogue from research participants, journal entries from previous students, and questions from other adults partaking in her seminars are all utilized to describe the different aspects of racism and identity development. In addition, the author discusses her personal experiences as well as those of her children to elaborate on the situation. This book is not geared towards an academic audience. The author focuses on the many parents, educators, and community leaders that would benefit from her seminars on topics such as "Talking to Children About Race." However, the author cleverly continues to explore theories of identity development while employing a limited amount of psychological terminology.

Although Tatum writes from a psychological perspective she does not dwell on theory. She provides practical advice and real world examples, often from her own family's experience, of how the race system works in America, how to teach your kids about race and how deal with racism within yourself. Her explanations and examples of white racism were both varied and accurate. Whites will find this book helpful in understanding their own prejudices and privileges. Blacks will find practical advice on dealing with racial issues and an explanation of white behavior.

Why are all the Black Kids sitting Together in the Cafeteria by Beverly Daniel Tatum, although printed almost ten years ago, is still accurately applicable to the racial lines that are ever present in today's society. Tatum integrates her extensive knowledge of developmental psychology with her own life experiences to explore questions of racial identity and integration. She asserts that all individuals have a racial identity, and accepting is the first step to curbing racism in society.

From birth to middle or old age, there are different processes for how one affirms and eventually accepts one's racial identity. She explores the identity process for Blacks, and interestingly, for Whites. I found those chapters to be extremely interesting because, as she points out, many people - black, white or whatever - do not see whites as having a racial identity. According to Tatum, this is one of the biggest problems of society that must be addressed, especially by whites, in order to have the necessary and constructive conversations about race. The crucial step in the process is the communication across racial boundaries. She points out that many white people are afraid to talk about racism, for fear of being perceived as racist. However, if whites took the necessary steps (which are outlined in her book) to discover and develop their own racial identity and thus develop an understanding of the racial identities of others, it would make the process of conversation more constructive.

Although the book focuses on black-white relationships, Tatum does touch on the struggles of racial identities of Native Indians, Asians, Latino, Hispanic and biracial people. She discusses both the inner and outer conflicts of each group and the labels that are attached to them. Crucial points of each group's history, in relation to America, are highlighted. Tatum herself points out that there is no possible way for her to properly cover all the issues of each group. However, the inclusion brings awareness to their plight, that the reader, if they so desire, can follow up on.

One of the best attributes of this book is that it involves many lively anecdotes. The advice she gives is compacted by her personal references to other books, from children's tales to self-help guide, so that one is able to easily locate other books about whatever the topic is. This book was an interesting and insightful pleasure to read, and opens the door to the answers that many have been searching for concerning racial identity.

Racism (nor any other "ism") does not just disappear because we "move on." These many prejudices occur in the lives of human beings each day. Every time I think I can move on, something occurs that lets me know that the person on the other side of the "ism" has not moved on. So I don't move on, I just move along with my life. There must be conversations about issues for there to be understanding. While wisdom is indeed the principal thing, we must get understanding. Sometimes it's very uncomfortable to talk about these things, but our discomfort doesn't make the issues go away. There is no magic wand, no silver bullet to "fix" human prejudices. We can only attempt to modify behavior; individuals change their own attitudes. Dr. Tatum conveys to us in the title that these are "conversations" not statistics. I found the reporting of quality qualitative research to be quite credible and will use this text for my course for school administrators. Got us thinking, didn't it?

I think Tatum's articulation of the identity issues that every racial group goes through is wonderful. As a young black woman reading the first section of the book, I found myself nodding a lot and even gaining some insights about myself as well. Tatum articulated many of the feelings about race that I haven't been able to. For the white people who attacked this book vehemetly, well I think you're the people she is trying to reach and maybe with a second reading you'll get the point of the book. The book I think was meant especially to get white people to understand racism and to see how they maintain racism w/o even realizing it (even for white people who aren't overtly racist--which is the majority of white America). The one gripe--if you can call it that--that I have with book is that it really doesn't question black people to challenge their own self-identity. For example, she accurately points out the massive rejection of education and intellectualism in the black community and how education and intellectualism are rejected b/c they are seen as white. While it is great that she points this out I really wish she would've challenged African Americans to look at this issue, change it and not just accept it as another symptom of racism. Overall, the book is excellent. I just wish that Tatum had given more concrete advice to groups of color on how to have positive self identities despite being in a racist society.