The Blue Eye Brown Eye Project is a powerful experiment designed to expose the realities of racism and discrimination. This experiment was first conducted by Jane Elliott, a former third-grade teacher in Riceville, Iowa, in the late 1960s, and has since been replicated and adapted in various forms.
The Experiment
In the Blue Eye Brown Eye Project, participants are divided into two groups based on their eye color: blue-eyed and brown-eyed individuals. The blue-eyed individuals are then given privileges and advantages, while the brown-eyed individuals are discriminated against and treated unfairly.
During the experiment, Jane Elliott would tell the blue-eyed individuals that they were smarter, more talented, and more deserving of respect and attention. Meanwhile, she would tell the brown-eyed individuals that they were less intelligent, less capable, and less worthy of respect and attention.
This created a hostile and discriminatory environment, where the blue-eyed individuals began to show signs of arrogance, entitlement, and superiority, while the brown-eyed individuals became demoralized, helpless, and resentful.
The Purpose
The Blue Eye Brown Eye Project was designed to demonstrate the destructive nature of discrimination and prejudice. By exposing individuals to the experience of being discriminated against and treated unfairly, Jane Elliott hoped to create empathy and understanding among people of different races and backgrounds.
The experiment was also designed to challenge the notion of innate superiority or inferiority based on physical characteristics such as eye color. By showing that discrimination can be arbitrary and irrational, Jane Elliott aimed to dismantle the myth of racial hierarchy and promote equality and inclusion.
The Results
The results of the Blue Eye Brown Eye Project were profound and revealing. Participants who were discriminated against in the experiment reported feeling angry, helpless, and frustrated. They also reported feeling a sense of solidarity and empathy with other marginalized groups.
Participants who were given privileges and advantages in the experiment reported feeling entitled, superior, and dismissive of the experiences of others. They also reported feeling a sense of guilt and shame when confronted with the reality of their behavior.
The Impact
The impact of the Blue Eye Brown Eye Project has been far-reaching and significant. This experiment has been used in schools, workplaces, and communities around the world to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The experiment has also inspired a range of related programs and initiatives, such as diversity training, cultural competency workshops, and anti-racism campaigns.
The Conclusion
The Blue Eye Brown Eye Project is a powerful and eye-opening experiment that has challenged our assumptions about race, discrimination, and privilege. By exposing individuals to the experience of being discriminated against and treated unfairly, this experiment has created empathy, understanding, and a commitment to social justice.
The Blue Eye Brown Eye Project reminds us that discrimination and prejudice are not innate or natural, but rather are learned behaviors that can be unlearned. It is up to each of us to take responsibility for our own biases and to work towards a more inclusive and equitable society.