Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race

 

Summary (from the publisher): Walk into any racially mixed high school and you will see Black, White, and Latino youth clustered in their own groups. Is this self-segregation a problem to address or a coping strategy? Beverly Daniel Tatum, a renowned authority on the psychology of racism, argues that straight talk about our racial identities is essential if we are serious about enabling communication across racial and ethnic divides. These topics have only become more urgent as the national conversation about race is increasingly acrimonious. This fully revised edition is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the dynamics of race in America.

Review: Originally published in the late 1990s, this  best selling work changed the conversation about racial identity groups and social exclusion. In this updated version from 2017, the author reflects on what has changed in the twenty years since this book was written (which in some ways is very little) and continues the conversation about race and identity that continues to grow louder in the United States. 

This book provides an excellent overview including personal examples and solid data to discuss a variety of issues surrounding race and identity. For example, it provides excellent discussion and insight into not only overt racism but the implicit bias that none of us are immune to. The book also starts with the basics by defining racism and providing thoughtful discussion on whether people of color can also be racist themselves: "People of color can and do have racial prejudices. However, if one defines racism as a system of advantage based on race, the answer is no. People of color are not racist because they do not systematically benefit from racism" (90). 

I read this book as part of a group to foster discussion and exploration about race and it serves as an excellent platform for exactly that. While an older text, the author has done a credible job at updating the text and keeping it relevant. Some of the later chapters, that focus on other racial minorities beyond blacks felt as if they were included more for inclusivity sake rather than pertaining to the main themes of the book. However, while I wouldn't call this a fun or enjoyable read, overall this is an informative book about important topics that truly should be read and considered by all Americans. 

Stars: 4