The documentary “Racism and Discrimination” is about an anti-racist teacher Jane Elliot who attempts to show the white people the feeling of discrimination. The central argument of the documentary is diversity training to seize the aspect of racism and discrimination in American society. Jane divides her class into groups based on eye color and creates a misconception of superiority for one group. First, she invents reasons why blue-eyed people are superior to brown-eyed people but changes her appeal later to describe brown-eyed people as superior. The change in discrimination attitudes made both groups of her white third-grade classroom undergo the firsthand experience of being discriminated against. The anti-racist experiment is conducted during a time of racial tension after the assassination of the civil rights leader Martin Luther King (Public Broadcasting Service, 1985). Jane has tried the experiment in other classrooms for more than forty years.
The procedure in the film involves aggressing each of the children’s groups in turn by discriminating against them based on the color of their eyes. At first, the children gave racist opinions, and they did not express guilt about being racist. By convincing the children that they are worthless and insignificant, they learn from the feelings through the experience of their revelation. The children learn they are not responsible for the color of their eyes, and they can do nothing to reverse the bad feeling of discrimination. The documentary is trying to teach that people who have not experienced the acrimony of racial inequality are more likely to be racist and are less likely to understand the effects of racism and discrimination. The concept of firsthand experience is used to convey the lessons. Through firsthand experience, the children change their racist perception hence making them repulsive to discrimination.
I agree with the message of Racism and Discrimination since it addresses systemic racism and discrimination affecting the American population at the basic level of education. Watching the documentary triggered the emotions of ongoing racism in the country, particularly the killing of George Floyd on May, 25. I think the kind of procedure to approach racism adopted by Jane is ethical since it imparts the practical experience of the downside of racism to its audience. Playing her role as a teacher, Jane is able to alter the racist mindset of the white children. The central argument of the documentary is important since school children are increasingly becoming subject to racist discrimination that aggravates targeted bullying and school shootings.
The documentary left me with a sense of hope that racial diversity can be taught in schools to influence a nationwide reckoning of racial inequality. The dramatic change in the students’ opinion is an indicator of how Jane’s exercise can be used in education systems. Unbiased perspectives on racism and who it affects are clearly demonstrated in the documentary. The interpretation of racism and discrimination in the 20th century is unprejudiced in the film. However, the documentary does not encompass how racism acts as a social, political, and economic determinant in society. I think the presentation is ethical since it innovates the most effective way of tackling the challenge of racial discrimination at the school level. The films seek to highlight that the effects of discrimination are underrated by the people who are not affected by it. Jane Elliot is also kind and smooth in delivering her lessons to kindergarten children.
Reference
Public Broadcasting Service. (1985). A Class Divided.PBS.