Beverly Daniel Tatum: Identity development and racial consciousness

Beverly Daniel Tatum

Psychologist and professor Beverly Tatum describes in "Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria" the process of racial identity development, arguing that, "racial grouping is a developmental process in response to an environmental stressor, racism. Joining with one's peers for support in the face of stress is a positive coping strategy." "Access to new, less stereotypical information about other people of African descent allows the individual to expand the definition of what it means to be black, and results in a newly defined and affirmed sense of self." By the same token, she stresses that "at times, self-segregation is even necessary for black adolescents," as this process of interacting with their own culture helps develop the sense of belonging to a certain cultural area.

Living in a multiracial environment, as a young adult, one has the possibility to develop his own identity by standing up to various influences. Following through the stages of psychologist William Cross who presented the process of racial identity development as a five-stage process, it can be said that the school environment plays a crucial role in triggering the first questions about one's own identity. Although racial identity is present in every mind, it is more of an issue for black people, as they are faced with the status of being a minority group. Still, from an early age, as Cross suggests in his study, the child is exposed to different influences, each of whom will have am impact on his later development as a grown up individual living in a cosmopolite society. From personal experience, I can say that a multicultural environment can help develop a better understanding of cultural, racial and gender differences. Furthermore, it plays a crucial role in teaching tolerance and appreciation for those of different origins or skin color. Both during my early childhood years and later on when growing up, close friendships and permanent contact with people of color, have made me resent racial behavior, gender bias hints or even allusions to being part of a majority.

Supporting the idea of Beverly Tatum that self-perception is based, in fact, on the other's perception on us, I believe that normal, free of racial stereotypes relationships can be built as long as there is small, effort coming from those constituting that environment, setting in mind to avoid using phrases which could be, at one point, misinterpreted, showing support and compassion for problems which affect another person from your environment, refraining from jokes with allusive racial or bias meaning, all this can contribute to preventing the fostering of feelings of invisibility or marginality that can, especially in young adults, undermine success.

Since the early '60, after the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education outlawed the "separate but equal" doctrine of school segregation, gradual efforts have been in order to deal with racial issues. The progress is notable. Yet, even today it is still considered an uphill battle. In a recent poll conducted by TIME / CNN on 1,282 adults, more than half of those interviewed consider racism to be a major issue. The same poll shows, on the other hand, a more powerful reluctance from the part of black teenagers when blaming racism for poor living conditions, as opposed to failing to take advantage of available opportunities, factor which they consider responsible for low standard of living." These responses seem to indicate that black teens believe color barriers exist, but, despite that, they retain an admirably dogged belief in self-determination." Therefore, a slight proof of optimism is visible in the query, as three-fourths of the white youngsters believe race relations will improve, as do more than half the black teens. The survey also points out that with every generation fewer teenagers are affected by racial stereotypes, by prejudices and, in the end, by racism.

And yet, why is racism still a problem in American schools? As Beverly Tatum explains, puberty is the crucial time when children of all backgrounds start having identity issues. In the case of racial prejudices, a defense mechanism is triggered, and, in most cases, racism soon follows, as a reaction to bias attitudes. A key role here would be that of the teacher, as most interactions at this age usually occur in school. Therefore, proper advice from a guiding counselor on issues referring to racial differences, to questions such as "What does it mean to be black?" could be of help in prompting further discussions on related subjects.

In analyzing the CNN pole, the role of the teacher is evident: he must help students answer their questions and address their fears, in order for each generation to be les inflicted by racial prejudices.

But, as Beverly Tatum pointed out in one of her articles, "many educators are unskilled at talking about racial issues. Many teachers have had limited possibility to explore such issues in their own education, and they hesitate to lead discussions about racial tensions for fear that they will generate classroom conflicts." School counselors must be prepared to help students from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds develop healthy self-concepts and learn to appreciate cultural diversity.

In order to offer support to others, one has to first define for himself the nature of the issue. Consequently, I believe that personal experience in accepting cultural and racial diversity is a key factor in understanding your own problems related to race and gender equality. To conduct a thorough analysis on my own racial attitudes, everyday behavior must be taken into consideration; I give special attention to the way I treat black students, though such a practice can sometimes be confused with positive discrimination. Even so, as guiding teacher, I can influence the material read in the classroom or the activities performed in the school's gym, insuring that all children participate in the daily activities and that they are not discriminated by playing just one king of sport, in which only a certain category of pupils excel.