A Class Divided: The Eye of the Storm - Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Event: Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
• Location: Riceville, Iowa
• Teacher: Jane Elliott, third-grade teacher

The Experiment in Prejudice

• Jane Elliott introduced an exercise based on eye color to teach her students about racism and discrimination.
• Key Statement: "Blue-eyed people are better than brown-eyed people."
• Observed immediate changes in behavior: thoughtful children became discriminative.
• The experiment aimed to confront and explain racism in a tangible way.

High School Reunion (August 1984)

• Former students, now adults, reunited for the first time after the exercise.
• ABC News filmed the original exercise for the documentary "The Eye of the Storm."
• Students revisited their experiences and impacts of the lesson.

Key Concepts of Discrimination

• National Brotherhood Week: Discussion on kindness and treatment of different races.
• Judgement by Appearance: Students discussed preconceived notions based on skin color.
• Eye Color Exercise: Blue-eyed students were given privileges over brown-eyed students.
  • Examples of Privileges: Extra recess, access to drinking fountains, and greater respect.
  • Brown-eyed students faced exclusion and derogatory terms.

Children's Reactions

• Students expressed feelings of humiliation, anger, and confusion.
• Key Discussion Points:
  - The impact of being discriminated against. -** The power dynamics of being labeled as ‘better’ or ‘worse’ based on physical traits. -** Realization of their behavior and its effects on friendships and self-esteem.

Insights from the Experiment

• Over two days, children switched roles, experiencing both privilege and discrimination.
• Reflection: Children acknowledged the unfairness of treatment based on arbitrary characteristics.
• Academic performance was observed to change based on perceived superiority or inferiority during the exercise.

Lasting Impact on Students

• Former students reflected on how the experience shaped their views on race and discrimination.
• Highlights the importance of teaching empathy and understanding.
• Students discussed how they now advocate against prejudice in their own lives.

Broader Implications of the Exercise

• The lesson was used beyond the classroom, including workshops for correctional officers and other adult groups.
• Core Message: Discrimination is learned behavior; it can be unlearned through experience and awareness.
• Jane Elliott's work continues to influence educational and social discussions on race.

Conclusion

• Elliott's method is powerful for understanding and addressing racism and discrimination.
• Final Thoughts: The experience showed how quickly children can adopt discriminatory behavior and how those experiences can foster a long-lasting sense of community and understanding in overcoming prejudice.