“A Class Divided” and the Approach Jane Elliott

What I liked and respected about the video “A Class Divided” was the approach Jane Elliott had taken to get her students to see the true meaning of what discrimination looked and felt like. Since there was a widespread of racial prejudice back in 1968, this might have been an inappropriate time to experiment with racial inequality but apparently, Ms. Elliott had a broader vision. As a result of Ms. Elliott’s two-day experiment, her students realized a few important lessons that they carried into adulthood. One, is that it doesn’t feel good when the shoe of discrimination and hatred is on the other foot. Two, it doesn’t matter what color your skin is or nationality you are, we are all are human beings. Finally, Ms. Elliott’s students kept their promise to her that they would treat each other with respect and kindness, as this was displayed at their 15-year reunion.

Obviously, Ms. Elliott’s method of teaching has been effective because it has been adapted and used in schools, correctional facilities, the workplace, and seminars that are being held throughout using her format.

What I didn’t like about the video was when the collars were placed around their necks of one group of children to degrade them and separate them from the superior ones. It was kind of painful to see that part of the video because it just reminded me of a time in history. At the end of the second day of the experiment, Ms. Elliott explained to the children in a childlike manner, how insensitive and hurtful it can be to discriminate against someone because of the color of their eyes, the color of their skin, how they look physically, how they talk or just not being a part of that person’s world. I also didn’t like the fact that the two boys, John and Russell, who were best friends came to blows from this experiment. Although they remained friends, this could have gone very wrong.

I was in private school from K -8th grade and then I went to public school for high school. I think if the Catholic School Sisters conducted an experiment like that it would come with a lot of Hail Marys and prayers before the first word was stated. In answer to the question, I think my reaction would have been just like the students in Ms. Elliott’s classroom especially if I was in the brown-eyed group first and my friends were in the blue-eyed group. It would be demoralizing and can be more damaging to existing low self-esteem. Of course, the blue-eyed children who are superior will tease and make fun of the other group. The friends that I have had for over 30 years would probably react the same way I would. I think in general children would react in this manner because they’re children and don’t know any better unless they’re taught or exposed to behave this way.

I think one type of diversity would be the LGBTQ Community. Although it’s more socially accepted today, the LGBTQ community suffers a lot of discrimination and hatred. Another would be people with special needs. They are faced with discrimination in another way where they are judged based on the level of their handicap. The last one would be gender (male/female). For example, in the workplace that women are more likely to be looked over for a promotion where the man gets higher positions and better pay.

In conclusion, I think that this was a creative way Ms. Elliott tackled discrimination with her third-grade class that paid off in the end.

References

A Class Divided | Watch S1985 E9 | Frontline | Pbs ...

1. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/class-divided