“Because they represent the societal norm, Whites can easily reach adulthood without thinking much about their racial group.” –Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria.
As I was reading this book I thought a lot about this quote and what it means to be “white”. As a white female I do not think I have ever given much thought to what it means to be a part of this race. As we have studied Native Americans, Hispanics, and African Americans in Marger’s text I have learned of the different challenges minority groups face. While I have always been aware of these challenges, they have never been my reality. Furthermore, I have never experiences a “sense of community” with white people like Marger points out that many minorities experience. I just wonder that it means to be white. I never thought of white as the “norm” like Dr. Tatum writes, but then again, I have never thought of white at all. Dr. Tatum also explains that whites feel a social pressure to not notice racism. Do people agree with Dr. Tatum or disagree? I am hoping this sparks some thought because I have thought about it over the last few days.
No comments:
Post a Comment