Please watch the video “Blue-eyes/Brown-eyes” classroom exercise conducted by educator Jane Elliot in 1968. The first clip is the experiment she did with the children in her third-grade classroom. Please watch clip #1 and feel free to review the others if you wish.

A Class Divided Video -Blue-eyes/Brown-eyes Exercise

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• What did you learn from watching the exercise?
• What scene or scenes stand out for you? Why?
• Did any part of the film surprise you? Keeping in mind your cultural lens, do you think someone of a different race, ethnicity, or religious lens would also find it surprising?
• What did the children’s body language indicate about the impact of discrimination?
• How did the labels that were placed on a group become a self-fulfilling prophecy?
• Why is it essential to develop anti-bias practices that intentionally addresses biases?

ANSWER

 A Class Divided: Unraveling the Impact of Discrimination

Introduction

The “Blue-eyes/Brown-eyes” classroom exercise conducted by educator Jane Elliot in 1968 is a powerful and thought-provoking social experiment that sheds light on the impact of discrimination on young minds. This essay reflects on the key takeaways from the exercise, scenes that stand out, surprises, and the implications of labeling and bias. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of developing anti-bias practices to counteract the self-fulfilling prophecy of discrimination.

Insights from the Exercise

The “Blue-eyes/Brown-eyes” exercise reveals the deep and lasting effects of discrimination on children’s behavior and emotions. It vividly demonstrates how discriminatory treatment based on arbitrary factors like eye color can create a stark division between groups, leading to feelings of superiority and inferiority.

Memorable Scenes

The scene where Jane Elliot divides the classroom into blue-eyed and brown-eyed groups is particularly impactful. The sudden change in dynamics and the children’s reactions show how quickly discrimination can take hold in a seemingly harmonious environment. Additionally, the scene where the roles are reversed, and the brown-eyed children become the dominant group, highlights the cyclical nature of discrimination and its potential to perpetuate across different groups.

Surprises and Cross-Cultural Relevance

The exercise may surprise viewers, especially those unfamiliar with the depth of the impact of discrimination on young minds. Someone from a different race, ethnicity, or religious lens may also find it surprising, as it challenges preconceived notions about the subtleties and magnitude of discrimination faced by marginalized groups.

Body Language and the Impact of Discrimination

The children’s body language during the exercise clearly reflects the impact of discrimination on their emotions and self-esteem. Those labeled as inferior demonstrated signs of dejection, lowered confidence, and reluctance to participate, while the dominant group exhibited a sense of entitlement and superiority. The exercise showcases how discrimination affects children’s sense of self-worth and the behavior they exhibit.

 Labels as Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

The labels placed on the two groups during the exercise became self-fulfilling prophecies. The dominant group, labeled as superior, assumed a position of power, while the inferior group internalized the label and acted accordingly. This shows how discriminatory labels can shape individuals’ beliefs and actions, leading to the perpetuation of prejudice and bias.

 Importance of Developing Anti-Bias Practices

Developing anti-bias practices is essential to counteract the harmful effects of discrimination. By intentionally addressing biases, individuals and institutions can create an inclusive environment where prejudices are challenged and dismantled. Anti-bias practices help foster empathy, understanding, and compassion among individuals from different backgrounds, ultimately contributing to a more just and equitable society.

Conclusion

The “Blue-eyes/Brown-eyes” classroom exercise is a compelling testament to the profound impact of discrimination on young minds. It highlights the self-fulfilling nature of discriminatory labels and underscores the importance of developing anti-bias practices to combat prejudice and foster inclusivity. By confronting biases and actively working to challenge discrimination, we can create a more empathetic and equitable world, where individuals are valued for their inherent worth rather than arbitrary characteristics. The exercise serves as a powerful reminder that every effort to promote understanding and compassion is a step towards dismantling discrimination and building a more harmonious society.