Jane Elliott, a trailblazing American diversity educator, has left an indelible mark on the educational landscape with her innovative and influential "Blue eyes/Brown eyes" exercise. This thought-provoking and far-reaching exercise was initially implemented by Elliott with her third-grade class on April 5, 1968, a somber and poignant day that immediately followed the devastating and tragic assassination of the iconic civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr.
The classroom experiment, carefully crafted by Elliott, served as a poignant pedagogical tool to educate children about the far-reaching and devastating repercussions of racism and prejudice. This innovative approach, designed to foster empathy and understanding, involved dividing the students into two distinct groups based on the color of their eyes. Each group was subsequently assigned a set of perceived privileges and restrictions, intended to simulate the consequences of discrimination. As the students navigated this unique learning experience, they were able to develop a deeper understanding of the negative impacts of racism and prejudice, ultimately cultivating a sense of compassion and empathy for those who may have been affected by such discrimination.
The "Blue eyes/Brown eyes" exercise, a groundbreaking educational tool, was subsequently recorded on film in the year 1970. This resulted in the creation of a documentary titled "The Eye of the Storm", which masterfully showcased the remarkable teaching methods of the visionary educator, Elliott. Not only did this documentary serve to magnificently highlight the transformative power of Elliott's exercise, but it also inadvertently sparked a national conversation about the pervasive and pernicious nature of racism, its insidious impact on society, and the urgent need for widespread social change.
James Elliott, a dedicated educator, was a pioneer in the field of social studies education.
Elliott's work was revisited by the prestigious PBS series Frontline in 1985, with the aim of showcasing the remarkable progress made by the original 1970 class, as well as her tireless efforts to spread awareness about the paramount importance of diversity and inclusion among adults.
