Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?
Beverly Daniel Tatum engages in a conversation that myself and a good friend of mine, Russ Whitfield, have begun ourselves. Ethnically, I am Anglo-Saxon; my friend, who is bi-racial, is ethnically both Anglo-Saxon and African-American. Over the next weeks we'll be reading this book together, discussing it, and reflecting on it online here starting today, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, during Black History Month (February), and through Juneteenth (June 19). One might think that since we live in a country with an African-American president (as of January 20) that racism is all but dead. Certainly, there has been great progress since the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s; however, racism is not dead. During the 1950s one could point to the lynched Negro and clearly identify racism. In the present day, the racism has taken on a much more subtle demeanor yet is every bit as denigrating. Once racism stood behind the barrels of a shotgun; now it stands behind silent smiles and subtle tones. If you don't believe it, we encourage you to do at least one of three things:
- If you are Caucasian, ask a friend of yours who is a person of color if they think racism is alive and well.
- If you do not have any friends of color with whom you have a relationship that would afford honest conversation like this, then consider living in another country for a year where English is not spoken. When you come back to the States, you'll see the racism straightway.
- Otherwise, maybe you could dive into this book with us.
We look forward to your thoughts and interactions as we progress together towards Christ in thanksgiving and repentance.
About the Contributors in this Series
Russ Whitfield is the Ministry Leader to the Dallas Uptown community at Park Cities Presbyterian Church. He is will graduate with a Masters of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary (Dallas, Texas) in May 2009. Russ and his wife are the proud parents of a four month old girl.
Will Nielsen presently works at Park Cities Presbyterian Church as a web applications developer, while pursuing ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas. Will and his wife Cynthia worship and serve at St. John's Episcopal Church, Dallas, Texas. Will also holds a Masters of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas.
