Beverly Daniel Tatum's Multiple Identities And Their Impact On Society

One of Beverly Tatum's major topics of discussion is racial identity. Racial identity is the meaning each of us has constructed or is constructing about what it means to be a white person or a person of color in a race-conscious society. (Tatum, pp Xvii) She talks about how many parents

In Dr. Beverly Tatum’s article “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” she writes about self-segregation. She repeats the questions “Who am I? Who can I be? (Tatum

Identity can mean different things to different people, but for most people, it’s about one’s personality and experiences. The 21st century has seen young people in various parts of the globe have a preference for some desired identity, which they deem superior, rather than accept their own identities. For example, in Goin Gangsta, Choosin Cholista: Claiming Identity, Neil Bernstein makes a case on how a number of people have claimed ethnic individualities other than their own and this is not an evil obsession (Bernstein, 1995). In this essay, a girl named April and her friends (and by extension most young people) believe that “identity is not a matter of where you come from, what you were born into, or what colour your skin is, but it’s everything

Despite being a very diverse literature genre in terms of influence and inspiration, North American literature encompasses many works that share some very common thematic elements. Though there are several themes shared, one in particular can be found in most any work – the importance of identity. Particularly in some selected pieces yet to be named, identity is a very important element, not only because it is a necessity for a main character in any work of literature, but because these works express ideas about identity as being very individualistic – as opposed to being a mere result of cultural surroundings. Zora Neal Hurtson’s Their

Individuals often find the definition of identity complex and difficult to comprehend. A balance must be struck between the contending concepts that a person’s identity is founded on how they view themselves, or how others perceive them to be. During the 20th century, strict adherence to archetypal roles was expected. Who an individual was, how they interacted with others, and their status in society, was determined through the judgement of others and subsequently, the archetypal roles they were placed in. For Stephen, a young fifteen year-old who is struggling on achieving true self-fulfillment in a society that is male dominated, he drives his sense of identity and self-perception from how others see him.

Identity can be affected by stereotypes. In these days’ people are automatically judged by their appearance. People are judged by height, race, and clothing. In the text “Black Men and Public Space” shows how a young man by the name of Brent Staples was quickly judged just by his looks. He decided to change his identity to please other and make them comfortable. In the text staple says “…I whistle melodies from Beethoven and Vivaldi and the more popular

Beverly Daniel Tatums, is an African-American woman. She talks about self-identity and dominant and subordinate people and the groups in society. She goes in to depth about how people identify themselves. She asked for her students to complete the sentence "I am ____" many responses had to do with race and ethnic group. She supports this by connecting it to how it’s related to the dominate and subordinate people/groups of society. She says "That element of the identity is still taking for granted by them that it goes without comment. It is taken for granted buy them because it's taking for granted by the dominant culture."

She articulates this idea that we want to have an identity and feel safe around those of the ‘same’. Lastly, Tatum makes a point that racial identity can persist into Adulthood, it is not only in schools but also in the corporate world. Part III Understanding Whiteness in a White Context: This section discusses the development of white identity and how many white people neglect to really think about their identity. Thinking about race may make many people uncomfortable but having those difficult conversations and acknowledging privilege and oppression is the action that needs to be taken. Tatum suggests affirmative action. Part IV: Beyond Black and White: Disuses important issues of other racial minorities including, Latino, American Indian, and Asian Pacific American. Tatum also discusses identity development in multiracial families, this can be a complex identity development with many factors coming into play, however, parental encouragement of biracial identity has been seen as highly beneficial. Part V Breaking the Silence: This final section offers suggestion on embracing a cross-racial dialogue. We can no longer can be silent and must work toward social change and a more equitable world for all.

In her book “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” , Beverly Daniel Tatum, explores the identity of racial development in the United States. She analyzes the definition of racism as well as the development of racial identity. Along with these topics she in turn offers possible solutions to racial problems that plague us today.

     Identity is one of the main questions throughout all of our readings, because it is hard for people to accept who they are in society. Accepting their identity as a minority with little if any freedoms

In Peacocks, Chameleons, Centaurs, Wayne Brekhaus discusses more than the promised analysis of gay suburbia. Brekhaus presents a thorough investigation of human identity construction, which just so happens to apply well to gay suburban life in America. The title refers to the three main types of identity management that people use to construct their sense of self. Brekhaus defines his terms well. Identity is defined in three ways; or, there are three different types of identity. These three identity types include the following: first, there are broad group identities; then, there are the "commonly recognized dimensions along which group identities are formed," such as sexual identity; and finally, there is self-identity. An individual can have multiple identities; what Brekhaus explores is how individuals manage these sometimes disparate identities in one persona. The person will have a core self, or true self, "the very core" of a person that "reflects an inner, true, unchanging, context-independent essence" of human being (Brekhaus 23).

Identity is essential for people to be comfortable with themselves, stand out as individuals and connect to certain communities or cultures. In the book, Visible Identities, Linda Alcoff theorizes about topics such as, the role of race in society, the black and white binary, and benefit of communities formed around shared identities. Simone de Beauvoir’s concept of the Other, in her book, The Second Sex, also theorizes about identity and the separation that grows between different groups. In this concept, one group determines that itself is the One and anyone who does not fit into that group is the Other.

Throughout my life, certain identities have remained consist. And these identities have come to shape my perspectives and my needs and wants within American culture. Typically, my social

Another inevitable reaction that came to me when I was reading this text, was the thought of – Who am I? And most importantly – Who can I be that will embrace my identity, while encouraging the diversity of others? The few identities I do own now is that I am a young African American woman, who comes from a low income neighborhood, and who is not necessarily religious but spiritual. I do not think these specific traits changed from when I was younger, however I do think the external groups I associate with have matured through my morals and values. For example, I consider myself a Democratic and a Feminist – due to the experiences I have had and the knowledge I have gained. I

The world has become modern and global. Identification of the self is a complicated, though, an important problem of every individual. Self- identity is based on inner values and reflections on culture, politics and social interactions. The main point is that people label themselves to any particular group in the society (Worchel etc., 1998). According to Ferguson: “Identity commonly refers to which it makes, or is thought to make