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In 1968, in response to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a
third grade teacher, Ms. Jane Elliott, in all-white, all-Christian, Riceville,
Iowa, involved her students in an exercise in discrimination based on eye
color. It was her attempt to help them to understand some of the reasons why Black
people were taking to the streets and demanding equitable treatment with
whites.
Since then she has conducted the same exercise with people of all ages in
cities all over the United States and in several other countries.
Over a dozen films have been made of Ms. Elliott conducting the exercise. In
response to requests from diversity trainers, both in the US and abroad, Ms.
Elliott has now provided us with a compilation DVD of some compelling moments
from those films. Seeing and discussing these clips can help us to recognize
some of the issues surrounding the –isms with which we all live. It may also
help us to realize how we as human beings react when we are treated unfairly on
the basis of physical characteristics over which we have no control. The use of
the material can help to increase our awareness of the effects of racism, sex
ism, ageism, able-ism, homophobia, ethnocentricity, and bigotry in general.
Included on the DVD is a study guide which is accessed through opening the
DVD from your computer. The study guide contains ten examples of the
stereotypical remarks that are made in Diversity Training classes. It lists clips
relative to the remarks from several of the films, and provides discussion questions
that help to refute some of the erroneous assumptions implied in the remarks.
This material is appropriate for diversity training in junior and senior high
schools, colleges, corporations, military groups and civic organizations.
10 Statements from WIDE EYED:
1. Why are those designated as minorities so emotional?
2. People of color don’t value education. Look at their drop-out rate and
their classroom behavior.
3. Students of color consistently score lower on tests than white students.
4. People of color are less civilized, less mature and tend to be violent.
5. Everyone has suffered some sort of discrimination. Why is it so hard for
blacks?
6. I didn’t own slaves. I’m not responsible for the Holocause. I didn’t
shoot Martin Luther King, Jr., etc.
7. Why are these people so angry all the time?
8. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
9. Adults will only learn in an environment where they feel safe.
10.Racism is just human nature. I was born that way. I can’t change.
Package Includes:
57 minute DVD and a facilitator guide
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