The Black History Year Group and the School of Social Sciences welcomed New York Times Best-Selling Author Professor Beverly Daniel Tatum for a discussion titled ‘Conversations about Race in Education’ with Bryan Bonaparte, Senior Lecturer in Psychology.
The discussion, which took place on 18 November 2021, explored topics such as Professor Tatum’s path to becoming a psychologist and her early years relative to race growing up in the United States during the Jim Crow era.
The conversation also delved into the continuing relevance of the themes discussed in her best-selling book “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” and Other Conversations About Race, and the importance of creating inclusive learning environments for students of colour. Professor Tatum also answered questions from attendees.
Dr Deborah Husbands, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and lead for the Black History Year Steering Group, said of the discussion: “This was an insightful event that situated the importance of Professor Tatum’s work for both US and UK higher education contexts. Drawing on critical race theory and personal experience, Professor Tatum offered advice on how to better support racially minoritised students in their academic environments.”
Professor Dibyesh Anand, Head of the School of Social Sciences, added: "A key lesson I got from Professor Tatum was around the value of hard work and academic excellence. Celebration of difference and diversity ought not be read as not acknowledging these values."
He continued: "In fact, as non-white (what in the UK context is called "BME") academics and students, we are fully aware that the systems in place were neither authored by us nor meant to be home for us; we can only make space for ourselves by pushing the doors, finding allies, working together intersectionally, and challenging the system to become more equitable, diverse and inclusive. Professor's Tatum talk was a timely reminder that building an anti-racist University culture is a labour of activism, love and hope. "
Professor Tatum is president emerita of Spelman College and a clinical psychologist widely known for both her expertise on race relations and as a thought leader in higher education. Recipient of the Carnegie Academic Leadership Award and author of several books, Professor Tatum is a sought-after speaker on the topic of racial identity development, the impact of race in the classroom, strategies for creating inclusive teaching environments, and higher education leadership.
Watch the full recording of the discussion on the University of Westminster YouTube channel.
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