“A Classroom Divided” 1968, Jane Elliot decides to try an idea she has had for awhile - how to teach children not to be racist.
Shane June 2nd, 2008
I think this is the most powerful video I have every watched. I would write out a synopsis for people who don’t have 55 minutes to watch this, but you need to see it to really see how much these children change, just by their teacher telling them that one group of students is better than the other.
Ok now that you have watched it, here is what I feel is the most important part. The students actually *perform better* at a classroom exercise when told they are superior, and perform worse - the very next day - when they are told that they are inferior. Absolutely amazing.
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I saw this video in one of my classes before. It’s really amazing how the student/adult reactions are so consistent. I specifically remember that one lady fuming after she was treated rudely, and went as far as sticking gum to the bottom of her seat. Saying this video is powerful is a true understatement.
We watched this in one of my speech and language classes, and I recall my heart just dropping when the class “turned” on the children who were deemed to be different in a wrong sort of way. It hurt me to hear Jane Elliot saying the things she did, even though I understand it was for the experiment.
I didn’t watch this particular video, but I hope it includes the follow-up of the children getting together as adults.
It’s all very powerful and moving.
And thats why I’m homeschooled
I saw this video in 1968 when I was about seven and I’ve never forgotten the name or the depiction of the blue eyed versus the brown eyed. What a strong impression it made on me, even so young.
Hmmm…interesting. I think racism is so subjective to different people, experiences and parts of the country. But, you can never completely get away from it. Thus, I don’t home school is the answer as it’s not real life for most people.
Christopher’s comment above cracks me up! What an interesting experiment. I was intrigued with her choosing to pin them against eye colors, which is a neutral thing. She factored in that some students were probably already racist against certain things like skin color or race. This is a hard subject to approach and I think she did great. Those students will never forget it!