Students at the University are often exposed to the term "multicultural courses," but yesterday, one of the University's own came to speak about them.
Beverly Tatum, who graduated from the University in 1984 and is a professor of education at Mt. Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass., gave a public lecture yesterday afternoon about the racial identities students can develop through studying race in multicultural courses.
Tatum's lecture focused on her work with a voluntary desegregation program that took place in Boston public schools. These schools, with Tatum's help, undertook the challenge of developing courses that focus on multicultural issues.
Teachers at these schools had to take special anti-racist training to participate in the courses.
Tatum discussed how this was difficult on the teachers professionally and personally. "Racism can be a relational barrier," Tatum said.
She also talked about the difficulty both black and white students faced as participants in her program. "It was a difficult transition for blacks, going from black schools to white schools," Tatum said.
For white students Tatum said, they faced the possibility of becoming "disconnected."
"I think white people learn to not notice (race), losing the privilege for insight to oneself," Tatum said.
Tatum was excited to be back at her alma mater speaking about her findings. "It's been a real pleasure to see old friends and see former professors," said Tatum, who was thrilled with the turnout of close to 50 people for her lecture.
"It was great," said Jacquie Anderson, a first-year graduate student in the School of Public Policy. "It's something not addressed much, white people learning about racism."
Nancy Blonston, a second-year graduate student in the School of Public Policy, agreed. "It's definitely not anything I've heard before," Blonston said. "It was really real."
Fifth-year Rackham student Alyssa Zuker pointed out how Tatum can be seen as someone to follow. "This is a good role model of what you can do. It was excellent," Zuker said.
Sidanie Smith, director of the women's studies department, one of the groups responsible for bringing Tatum to campus, thought it was important to have Tatum here to discuss anti-racism in classrooms and her work with teachers.
Smith was also happy with the large turnout. Smith said it was good to see "all of the interest in anti-racist education and people thinking about their own teaching. ... It represents the kind of community commitment to making change happen."
Tatum spoke as part of the King/Chavez/Parks Visiting Professor Program, something she is proud of. "All three of them were change agents and I like to think of myself as a change agent," Tatum said.
JOSH BIGGS/Daily
University alum Beverly Tatum addressed students yesterday at East Hall about the importance of developing racial identities.