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Beverly Daniel Tatum Quotes

To say that it is not our fault does not relieve us of responsibility. However, we may not have polluted the air, but we need to take responsibility, along with others, for cleaning it up. Each of us needs to look at

To say that it is not our fault does not relieve us of responsibility. However, we may not have polluted the air, but we need to take responsibility, along with others, for cleaning it up. Each of us needs to look at our own behavior. Am I perpetuating and reinforcing the negative messages so pervasive in our culture, or am I seeking to challenge them?

Beverly Daniel Tatum
Responsibility, Air, Justice

To work effectively as an agent of change in a pluralistic society, it is necessary to be able to connect with people different from oneself.

Beverly Daniel Tatum
Leadership, People, Different

Many white people experience themselves as powerless, even in the face of privilege. But the fact is that we all have a sphere of influence, some domain in which we exercise some level of power and control. The task for each of us, White and of color, is to identify what our own sphere of influence is (however large or small) and to consider how it might be used to interrupt the cycle of racism.

Beverly Daniel Tatum
Exercise, Color, White

It is important to understand that the system of advantage is perpetuated when we do not acknowledge its existence.

Beverly Daniel Tatum
Racism, Important, Action
Beverly Daniel Tatum (1997). “"Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" and Other Conversations about Race”, Basic Books

The task of resisting our own oppression does not relieve us of the responsibility of acknowledging our complicity in the oppression of others.

Beverly Daniel Tatum
Responsibility, Doe, Tasks
Beverly Daniel Tatum (1997). “"Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" and Other Conversations about Race”, Basic Books

We all get misinformation growing up about people who are different from ourselves.

Beverly Daniel Tatum
Growing Up, People, Different

In order to prevent chronic discomfort, Whites may learn not to notice.

Beverly Daniel Tatum
Order, Justice, May

The social pressure from friend and acquaintance to collude, to not notice racism, can be quite powerful.

Beverly Daniel Tatum
Powerful, Racism, Justice
Beverly Daniel Tatum (1997). “"Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" and Other Conversations about Race”, Basic Books

White people who are doing this work need to make their stories known to serve as guides for others.

Beverly Daniel Tatum
White, People, Justice
Beverly Daniel Tatum (1997). “"Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" and Other Conversations about Race”, Basic Books

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