A Class Divided: Jane Elliott's Experiment in Discrimination

Background

• Inspired by the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
• Aimed to teach students about racism and discrimination in a concrete way
• Jane Elliott, a third-grade teacher, conducted the exercise

Overview of the Experiment

• Conducted in Riceville, Iowa, 1968, the day after MLK's assassination
• Used eye color to create a microcosm of societal discrimination
• Blue-eyed children were labeled superior to brown-eyed children, and vice versa on subsequent days
• Aim: To make children understand the impact of discrimination

Implementation

• Blue-eyed children were given privileges (extra recess, fountain access) while brown-eyed children faced restrictions
• Brown-eyed students wore collars to distinguish them further
• Observations showed a rapid behavior change: friends would discriminate against each other instantly

Emotional Impact on Students

• Brown-eyed children felt demoralized and self-conscious
• Blue-eyed children became arrogant and discriminatory
• Some children engaged in physical fights due to discrimination

Conclusion and Swapping Roles

• Reflected on how unfair and hurtful discrimination was
• Allowed students the empathy of experiencing both sides of discrimination
• Improved academic performance observed in the superior group each day

Jane Elliott's Reflections

• Found that adults and children alike could quickly embody discriminatory roles
• Emphasized the importance of practical lessons over theoretical talks

Long-Term Impact on Students

• Many students retained the lessons well into adulthood
• Some practiced and taught tolerance and fairness to their children
• Former students expressed regret over their actions but valued the life lesson

Use of the Exercise Beyond the Classroom

• Shown in documentaries and used for various training programs (students, teachers, business and labor organizations)
• Conducted with prison guards and parole officers to sensitize them about discrimination

Key Learnings from the Workshop with Adult Participants

• Blue-eyed participants experienced discomfort, frustration, and anger similar to minorities facing discrimination
• Jane Elliott highlighted how ingrained discriminatory attitudes can be without the person realizing it

Recommendations

• Exercise useful if implemented correctly and sensitively
• Should be used to educate teachers, administrators, and other professionals about discrimination
• Essential to understand and combat discrimination early in life for a lasting impact

Closing Thoughts

• Goal: To eliminate the necessity for such exercises by fostering a more inclusive society
• Emphasized how immediate practical lessons are more effective in teaching empathy and understanding

Additional Points

• Empathy can significantly improve people's attitudes towards discrimination
• An emotional and experiential understanding of discrimination has long-lasting effects on behavior and attitudes