Jane Elliott on Her 'Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Exercise' and Fighting Racism

Teacher and diversity trainer Jane Elliott talks about her "Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Exercise," the construct of race and what everyone can do in the fight against racism.


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Jane Elliott on Her "Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Exercise" and Fighting Racism

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[Cindy.P]

She's been an anti-racism activist for over 40 years & did her first exercise for her class on April 5, 1968, the day after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. I wish more people were aware of what she's been teaching but I'm glad to see her on Late Night TV.

[nandinibandhini]

Jane Elliott is a LEGEND! Long may she live.

[tavonne]

“You didn’t get educated in school, you got indoctrinated” Preach.

[TheEyeofThePupil]

i emailed jane a lot in high school about racist family members- she helped me tremendously, and even aided me in confronting my own bias. she is just an amazing, beautiful human. i proudly wear her merch!

[oakdalepreschoollongdistan]

As an African American teacher i have watched many of this woman's videos and learned how to teach children of different races, religions etc. She made me think about my own bias' and stereotypes and made me walk in the moccasins of others. I am a better communicator, listener, observer, teacher because of her. If you are a teacher I challenge you to watch her videos. They will hurt but you will learn.

[renaymorris]

She is too real! Jane Elliot doesn't hold back. She should educate everyone.

[masteroogway]

She wasn’t ahead of her time. Everyone was behind.

[thana]

I’m impressed that her mind is so active for an 87-year-old. Wish her good health always. Much respect.👍🏿

[markturner]

Jane ain't no joke. She has been an advocate for human rights for a long time. Much respect to her and Jimmy's show for the message.

[Baeyonetta.]

Even today, she still cries when she talks about King’s death. She really feels it 😞✊

[laughacct]

That experiment cost her, her job, friends, almost her life. She sacrificed everything in pursuit of the truth. I hope shes taken care of for the rest of her life.

[dmc]

I say a special prayer that this woman is protected and that her students continue her legacy & her truth. This is just golden 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[dmalikat]

I have never witnessed Jane Elliot cry. She’s torn up about all of this. She’s amazing.

[kings]

I was genuinely hurt when she called herself ugly...she’s such a strong beautiful soul

[wardogs]

She should get the President Medal of Freedom for her contributions.

[Adimaejoon]

LOVE HER..I teared up with her when she talked about Martin Luther King. What a great man he was..

[atomiksphinx]

She came to our school twice and when I say how she captivated a room and made people think, it was astounding. It was one of the few times as a black person at a pwi where I was able to be like "whoa, she get it!" And then when she did the exercise, watching the character changes on people and us minorities on the other side, the short moment of "...is this what it feels like?" recognition was just...I needed for more people to understand it truly, so we can change the mindsets of people.

We were able to have an hour conversation later and I remember coming initially to thank her for doing what she did and instead, she thanked me first for being so brave and strong a person to endure and exist each day with what we have, and apologized as well that we even have this burden of society and that this was even necessary. I almost cried, I still dont know why, but others of us did too.

Check out her videos and speeches on here, they are eye opening and so well worth the time 🙏🏾

[megothefabulous]

"You didn't get educated in school, you got indoctrinated in school."

Facts

[MPR]

Jane Elliott is an American treasure, we don't get to hear from her enough!

[andishawjfac]

The part where she talked about her parents losing their business and her kids being attacked made me cry. I hate this world.