Part V, Breaking the Silence, Chapter 10, Embracing a Cross-Racial Dialogue Summary and Analysis

Despite those who think Americans talk too much about race, Tatum thinks that we do not talk about it enough. Racism surrounds us in the form of riots, anti-immigrant sentiment and elsewhere. It is always necessary to break the silence and to do so in ways that generate meaningful and productive dialogue. Our fear immobilizes us and we fear isolation and the hatred of others. Whites are particularly frightened. As a result, Whites often have a racial code to talk about Blacks without mentioning them by name. It often takes the form of an "us-them" relationship. Whites are most guilty of a culture of silence, since most people of color are more fluent. People of color need to break the silence in order...