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Students are instructed to watch the “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes” (BE/BE) video provided through the eCampus course platform. After viewing the video, students must answer a set of questions related to the video, which are accessible via a specific link on the same platform. The responses should be formatted as a paper, following the detailed instructions available on eCampus. Students are guided to prepare their answers thoughtfully, reflecting on their reactions, personal experiences with discrimination, and the implications of the exercise on understanding stereotypes and prejudice.

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The “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes” (BE/BE) exercise is a powerful pedagogical tool designed to facilitate understanding of prejudice, discrimination, and societal stereotypes. Developed by Jane Elliott in the 1960s, the exercise enables participants, especially children, to experience firsthand how arbitrary and easily learned prejudiced attitudes can be. Analyzing this exercise reveals significant insights into human behavior, ethical reasoning, and the importance of empathy and brotherhood in combating discrimination.

At its core, Elliott’s method involves dividing a group — traditionally children — based on eye color and assigning positive and negative attributes to each group alternately. This division creates an immediate social hierarchy, with privileges conferred upon one group while discriminating against the other. The rapidity with which children accept these roles underscores how swiftly biases and stereotypes are internalized and enacted. The exercise vividly demonstrates how prejudice is not inherently innate but socially learned, affirming that anyone can be susceptible to discriminatory thinking under certain conditions.

This exercise’s significance extends beyond its immediate context. Elliott used it as an educational tool to evoke moral and ethical reasoning among her students, helping them recognize the arbitrary nature of racial discrimination and prejudiced attitudes. By experiencing discrimination themselves, students can develop empathy for marginalized groups, understanding that prejudice is baseless and perpetuated by societal influences rather than any inherent quality. Elliott’s approach exemplifies how experiential learning fosters deeper emotional and moral comprehension compared to traditional didactic teaching methods.

Participants’ quick adaptation to their assigned roles mirrors societal dynamics. Individuals, especially children, are socially conditioned to conform to stereotypes, often without critical reflection. This phenomenon explains how ingrained biases can be learned rapidly and maintained over time within societal structures, affecting real-life interactions and perpetuating cycles of discrimination. The experiment highlights the importance of social context in shaping attitudes and behaviors about race, gender, or other identities.

In comparison to societal minorities who endure long-term discrimination, the short-term experience provided by Elliott’s exercise can be viewed as a microcosm illustrating the psychological impact of prejudice. Minority groups often face systemic, pervasive discrimination over their lifetime, which can lead to internalized oppression, lowered self-esteem, and social marginalization. While the children’s experience is temporary and controlled, the intensity and repetition of discrimination faced by minorities mirror the deep-rooted and enduring nature of societal biases.

Furthermore, the exercise invites reflection on how stereotypes impact marginalized groups today. A parallel can be drawn with groups such as racial minorities, immigrants, or LGBTQ+ individuals, who frequently encounter stereotypes and discrimination. The comments and actions of the children on the first day replicate how societal stereotypes are propagated through language and behavior, influencing perceptions about these groups. Recognizing these parallels is crucial for fostering empathy and advocating for social justice.

Personally, many individuals, including myself, have encountered discrimination in some form, whether based on race, gender, or other identities. Such experiences can be emotionally distressing and challenging to cope with. Effective coping strategies often involve seeking social support, engaging in advocacy or awareness efforts, and practicing self-care to maintain mental health. For those who have not yet experienced discrimination, the exercise underscores the importance of remaining vigilant and prepared to stand against injustice when witnessing such acts in society.

Ultimately, Elliott’s “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes” exercise underscores the importance of moral education, empathy, and ethical reasoning in building a society free of prejudice. It demonstrates that stereotypes are learned behaviors that can be unlearned through conscious effort and reflection. Education systems and societal institutions can adopt experiential learning techniques like this to challenge ingrained biases and promote brotherhood among diverse groups.

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