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Tim Spofford
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What the Children Told Us: The Untold Story of the Famous "Doll Test" and the Black Psychologists Who Changed the World Hardcover – August 9, 2022

by Tim Spofford (Author)
3.9 out of 5 stars 11 ratings
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Does racial discrimination harm Black children's sense of self?

The Doll Test illuminated its devastating toll.

Dr. Kenneth Clark visited rundown and under-resourced segregated schools across America, presenting Black children with two dolls: a white one with hair painted yellow and a brown one with hair painted black. "Give me the doll you like to play with," he said. "Give me the doll that is a nice doll." The psychological experiment Kenneth developed with his wife, Mamie, designed to measure how segregation affected Black children's perception of themselves and other Black people, was enlightening―and horrifying. Over and over again, the young children―some not yet five years old―selected the white doll as preferable, and the brown doll as "bad." Some children even denied their race. "Yes," said brown-skinned Joan W., age six, when questioned about her affection for the light-skinned doll. "I would like to be white."

What the Children Told Us is the story of the towering intellectual and emotional partnership between two Black scholars who highlighted the psychological effects of racial segregation. The Clarks' story is one of courage, love, and an unfailing belief that Black children deserved better than what society was prepared to give them, and their unrelenting activism played a critical role in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. The Clarks' decades of impassioned advocacy, their inspiring marriage, and their enduring work shines a light on the power of passion in an unjust world.

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  1. Print length
    368 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Sourcebooks
  4. Publication date
    August 9, 2022
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 1.17 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1728248078
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1728248073
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From the Publisher

How does racial discrimination harm black children's sense of self? The doll test illuminated its...
Praise from Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This detailed and sympathetic biography shines a well-deserved spotlight on two racial justice pioneers." ― Publishers Weekly

"For readers interested in a unique tale at the intersection of psychology, race, and activism, Spofford’s in-depth portrait of the Clarks will be welcome reading." ― Kirkus Reviews

"Part biography, part history, and part psychological study, this emotionally charged book chronicles.... the lives and works of two extraordinary individuals who fought for racial justice and equality in one of our nation's darkest hours." ― Booklist

"What the Children Told Us is straightforward reportage. It is heavily researched and documented and adds flesh to some of the bones of knowledge about the 1940s, the psychological community, and growing civil rights efforts" ― Historical Novel Society

"The first book to detail the extensive work of two major contributors on the psychological effects of segregation is a worthwhile addition to collections." ― Library Journal

About the Author

Tim Spofford’s writing career has focused on racial issues in education. Spofford has taught writing and journalism in schools and colleges and has a Doctor of Arts in English degree from the State University of New York at Albany. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Newsday, Mother Jones, and other publications. He lives with his wife, Barbara, in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Lee, Massachusetts. Visit him at timspoffordbooks.com

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sourcebooks (August 9, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1728248078
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1728248073
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1.17 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 out of 5 stars 11 ratings

About the author

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Tim Spofford

Tim Spofford

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Tim Spofford’s writing career was inspired by the May 1970 slayings on the Kent and Jackson State campuses amid antiwar protests. These moved him to write Lynch Street, (Kent State University Press), the sole book about the largely forgotten killings at the black college in Mississippi.

For seven years, Spofford covered educational policymaking for the Albany Times Union in New York’s capital city. His beat included the state Education Department, the state Legislature and the 64-campus State University of New York system. Many of his news stories focused on race in public education, and he often interviewed Kenneth Clark, a policymaker on the state Board of Regents. He is completing the dual biography of Clark and his wife, Mamie, the psychologists who created the legendary dolls test.

Spofford has taught writing and journalism in schools and colleges. He has a Doctor of Arts in English degree from the State University at Albany. He has published articles in the New York Times, Newsday, Mother Jones, Columbia Journalism Review and other publications. He worked as a copy editor for many years, most recently as a copy chief at the St. Petersburg Times in Florida, where he coached young editors.

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3.9 out of 5 stars
11 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • T. Doyle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Quick read, a fascinating biography
    Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2023
    Kenneth and Mamie Clark were giants. They devoted their lives and careers to addressing racial inequality. This book is full of great stories, as they lived American history over forty years of activism. I loved this book.
    3 people found this helpful
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