Concluding Notes on Dr. Tatum's Book & Essay III Description

Concluding Notes on WHY ARE ALL THE BLACK KIDS SITTING TOGETHER IN THE CAFETERIA?

A. Let me re-emphasize, as Dr. Tatum notes on p. 174, that research showed that bi-racial adolescents did NOT have any more adjustment problems than adolescents of color. "For both groups, all measures of psychological adjustment were in the normal range, suggesting that bi-racial adolescents can be reasonably healthy and happy as other young people are."

1. This is not to say there are not challenges associated with bi-racial identity. The key is addressing these issues openly in the family and elsewhere, as we saw earlier when she first presented the racial identity development theory.

2. One challenge is confronting the question, "what are you?", which reflects the society's need to classify you racially and may imply another question which is divisive: which side are you on or where do you stand? (p. 175)

B. In talking about the various developmental stages -- pre-school thru college and adult years -- Dr. Tatum discusses instances where one's bi- or multi-racial identity is challenged by peers or others. In the early years, parents play an especially crucial role in addressing such instances by instilling pride in all aspects of one's racial identity to counter society's desire to put you in one category or another.

1. During college and adulthood, it becomes easier to reject peer pressure and embrace one's bi-cultural heritage. Dr. Tatum, then, goes on to stress the need these bi- or multi-racial students have to learn about all of their backgrounds, to develop respect for themselves as multiracial, even if they favor one aspect of their heritage over others.


Part V Breaking the Silence

Chapter 10: Embracing a Cross-Racial Dialogue

A. In contrast to those who argue there is too much talk about race and racism in the U.S., Dr. Tatum, as you could have guessed, says there is not enough.

B. A big problem in encouraging cross-racial dialogue is FEAR -- fear is a big obstacle especially these days when people too often latch on an inappropriate comment or yanked-out-of-context-remark and label someone as racist. Both Whites and minorities have these fears, but especially Whites.

C. Dr. Tatum describes well the psychological (and I would also say, social) costs of silence: "As a society, we pay a price for our silence. Unchallenged personal, cultural, and institutional racism results in the loss of human potential, lowered productivity, and a rising tide of fear and violence in our society. Individually, racism stifles our own growth and development. It clouds our vision and distorts our perceptions. It alienates us not only from others but also from ourselves and our own experiences." (p. 230)

D. And positively, embracing one's racial identity and engaging in cross-racial dialogue may lead to five good things: "...increased zest, a sense of empowerment, greater knowledge, an increased sense of self-worth, and a desire for more connection." (p. 202)

E. She acknowledges this will take courage, and developing a support network may help to bolster one's courage to cross the racial divide.
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That's it for Dr. Tatum's book. Next Tuesday (11/24) we'll begin to discuss Shirley Better's "Institutional Racism." Please read through Chapter 1. I have also decided to show that segment from Bill Moyers' Journal (about 30 min.) which is relevant to one of the three key components of the "Better Model of Institutional Racism," Economic Privilege. (see pp. 25-28) Dr. Better argues that Jim Crow laws in the South were just a continuation of the slave system without slave owners, which is echoed in subject of the book featured on Bill Moyers' Journal, "Slavery By Another Name." Also relevant is her brief discussion of the two-tiered labor system where minorities were largely relegated to the lower tier.
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ESSAY III
11/20/09

A. Toward the end of the Epilogue of Dr. Tatum's book: "Continuing the Conversation" (pp. 211-219) she focuses her attention on the challenges and promise of diversity on college campuses such as our own. For this final out-of-class essay, I want you to read this section carefully and then relate any THREE points she makes to your perception of the challenges and promise of racial and ethnic diversity on the Wofford campus.

B. Your essay should be roughly 3 pages. Be sure to indicate the page #s of any passages from Dr. Tatum's book that you quote in your essay.

C. This essay is due ON OR BEFORE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8TH.

*** Note that I moved up this due date from the last class which was the due date I indicated in class. I am giving extra time for this essay because the Interview paper will be due right after we come back from Thanksgiving break (Dec. 3rd), and to give you some more time to think about this topic.