37 Quotes by Beverly Daniel Tatum

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

We all have a sphere of influence. Each of us needs to find our own sources of courage so that we can begin to speak. There are many problems to address, and we cannot avoid them indefinitely. We cannot continue to be silent. We must begin to speak, knowing that words alone are insufficient. But I have seen that meaningful dialogue can lead to effective action. Change is possible.

In terms of intergroup relations, the myth of the model minority has served to pit Asian Americans against other groups targeted by racism. the accusing message of the dominant society to Blacks, Latinxs, and Native Americans is, 'They overcame discrimination—why can't you?' Of course...any group comparisons that don't take into account differential starting points are inherently flawed.

One participant described her frustration when she joined the Asian American Association in high school: 'I totally did not fit in...It kind of made me mad because I looked like them, so I felt like I identified with them, but once I got in, I learned I really don't at all.' Caught between the expectations of two groups, [transracial adoptees] often felt rejected by White people due to physical differences and by people of their birth ethnicity due to lack of language and cultural knowledge.

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.

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

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

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

The relevant question is not whether all Whites are racist but how we can move more White people from a position of active or passive racism to one of active antiracism.