Jane Elliott is a name that may be unfamiliar to many New Yorkers in the 21st century, but she is one of those who influenced the struggle for social justice in the United States. She once conquered New York with her innovative teaching methods. In particular, she became known in the 1960s for developing a groundbreaking exercise on racism that is still used today in the 21st century. She was also a committed advocate for feminism, anti-racism and LGBT rights. Find out more at newyork1.one.
Young years of the future teacher
Jane Elliott was born in 1933 in Iowa. She grew up in a predominantly white, conservative community and attended a segregated school until the age of 10. Elliott was one of the few white students to attend the school, which made a deep impression on her. In many interviews she gave throughout the 20th century, she said that this experience opened her eyes to the realities of racism and discrimination in the United States at the time.
After high school, Elliott attended college at the University of Northern Iowa, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education. She started her teaching internship and taught third grade for several years before moving to a small town in Iowa to teach sixth grade. It was during this time that she developed the exercise that made her famous.
“Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes” exercise
In 1968, after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Elliott wanted to find a way to educate her students about racism and discrimination. She developed an exercise that involved dividing the class into two groups based on the color of their eyes. On the first day, the blue-eyed children were told they were better and the brown-eyed children were told they were worse. The next day, the roles were reversed.
The exercise had an instant and profound effect on the students. Those who were considered the best turned arrogant and bossy, and those who were considered the worst turned withdrawn and sad. The exercise was videotaped and broadcast on national television. Thanks to this method, Elliott’s name became known throughout the United States.
Impact on New York’s education sphere
After the enormous success and recognition of the Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes experiment, Jane Elliott decided to reach a larger audience, namely New York City, the cultural center of the United States. She sought to challenge the existing state of affairs regarding racism in the city and break down the barriers that perpetuated various prejudices in the urban classes.
In New York City, Elliott’s training and innovative practice received a strong response from both students and teachers. Her workshops and lectures have brought together people from all walks of life to challenge their own biases and explore the systems that perpetuate inequality.
Over time, Elliott’s work in New York City expanded beyond the classroom. She actively collaborated with community organizations and advocacy groups. Her involvement in the struggle for feminism, anti-racism and LGBT rights has earned her recognition as one of the most influential figures in New York and the United States.
Elliott received many awards for her work, as she made a huge contribution to the cultural and educational environment of New York and the United States. In the 20th century, Jane Elliott had a great impact on the struggle for social justice. Her Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes exercise has become a staple of anti-racism education, even being used in schools across the U.S. in the 21st century. Her contributions to feminism, LGBT rights and other ideas were also significant.