Discrimination: Reflection and Interview

Watch the Frontline program online.

Frontline: A Class Divided http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/divided/

A Class Divided explores the nature of prejudice. Third grade teacher Jane Elliott deliberately created a classroom situation to teach her students how it feels to be on the receiving end of discrimination. This is an encore presentation of the classic documentary on third-grade teacher Jane Elliott’s “blue eyes/brown eyes” exercise, originally conducted in the days following the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. This classic classroom experiment, conducted in the late 1960s in a small Midwestern town, demonstrates how quickly and easily schoolchildren can internalize prejudice and discriminate. Years later, these children discuss the valuable lessons they learned from this experiment. Elliott employs this same teaching strategy with a group of adults in the workplace, and discusses their reactions.

This assignment is designed to allow you to synthesize what you have been learning about the various dimensions of diversity and the necessity of treating everyone in an inclusive, sensitive and respectful manner.

Discrimination Paper Part I: Interpersonal Reflection

After viewing the video, consider the following questions and write your response. Your response should be 4-5 pages and should address each question thoroughly, reflecting an accurate representation of what you have learned in this course. Demonstrate scholarship by utilizing supporting resources to justify your ideas and responses:

• What did you learn from the film? What scene or scenes do you think you’ll still remember a month from now and why those scenes?
• Did any part of the film surprise you? Do you think someone with a disability, of a different sexual orientation, an older American or some of a different religion would also find it surprising? Why or why not?
• Both Elliott and her former students talk about whether this exercise should be done with all children. What do you think? If the exercise could be harmful to children, as Elliott suggests, what do you think actual discrimination might do? Use an example, different from the example you used to describe labels, from what you have learned about people with disabilities, older people, sexual minorities, or people of differing religions.
• How can negative and positive labels placed on a group become self-fulfilling prophecies? Use an example from what you have learned about people with disabilities, older people, sexual minorities, or people of differing religions.

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• Based on what you have learned in this course, discuss an example (either from the video or from your experiences) that illustrates each of the following statements:
  • Dimensions of diversity may be hidden or visible.
  • Dimensions of diversity are in a constant state of flux.
  • Dimensions of diversity are not always clear-cut or easily defined.

Discrimination Paper Part II: Personal Interview

For Part II of this assignment, you will have a conversation with someone who you feel may have faced discrimination. Examples include someone with a disability, an older American, someone who is a sexual minority, or someone who lives in a multicultural family. After choosing an individual to interview, explain to this individual what you have seen in the Class Divided program. Invite them to watch the program, or parts of the program, with you. After watching or discussing the program, pose the following questions to the individual. Be sure to explain the reason for your questions and why you have selected them to participate in the interview:

• What, if any, discrimination do you experience?
• How have you coped with this situation?
• What do you think needs to change at the cultural level to reduce discrimination?

Following your refection (Part I listed above), add 2-3 pages to your paper which addresses the following:

• A description of the individual you chose to interview and why. Explain how you went about approaching this individual for the interview.
• What are your observations about the person’s view of discrimination and how it affects his/her daily life?
• Did the interaction with the person change your view of discrimination? If so, explain how the interaction has affected you either positively or negatively. If it did not change your view of discrimination, explain why.
• How well do you think you would cope with discrimination from this person’s perspective?
• Finally, what is the best manner in which to advocate for those facing discrimination? What actions will you change based on what you have learned in this course and how will you serve as an advocate for those individuals who face discrimination?

Your final assignment, consisting of both Part I and II, should be approximately 6 -8 pages. Be sure to address each topic listed above and, as appropriate, cite the online course, the textbook, and other credible sources to substantiate the points you are making. For example, when discussing an example of how diversity may be hidden or invisible cite sources, which you have referenced to substantiate the points you are making.

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