Stephen Bloom discusses Jane Elliott's famous experiment on race and brutality, its ethical issues, and its impact on tribalism, racism, and obedience to authority. The podcast also explores the effectiveness of race sensitivity training programs, the future of journalism, and the challenges of a subscription-based system in the online content industry.
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Quick takeaways
Jane Elliott's famous "Blue-Eyes, Brown-Eyes Experiment" aimed to simulate racism and make students understand its effects.
The experiment faced criticism for being punitive and lacking empathy, raising concerns about its ethical implications.
Sensitivity training programs similar to Elliott's approach are used today, but their effectiveness in changing deep-rooted attitudes is debated.
Journalism needs to adopt a bottom-up approach that focuses on the stories and perspectives of everyday people to create a more diverse news landscape.
Deep dives
Jane Elliott's experiment in Riceville, Iowa
In the late 1960s, following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Jane Elliott, a teacher in Riceville, Iowa, conducted an experiment in her third-grade classroom. She divided her students based on eye color, treating one group as superior and the other as inferior. Through this exercise, Elliott aimed to simulate racism and make her students understand its effects. The experiment garnered national attention when Elliott appeared on the Johnny Carson show and later on Oprah. However, the experiment faced criticism for being punitive and lacking empathy. While it raised awareness around racism, it also left lasting impacts on the students who participated.
Controversies and Reception of Jane Elliott's Work
Elliott faced mixed reactions from her fellow teachers, townspeople, and the media. Some saw her as an opportunistic grifter, while others viewed her as a passionate advocate fighting against racism. The experiment drew attention and criticism, with concerns about its ethical implications and efficacy. Elliott's appearances on television shows like Oprah further polarized opinions about her methods and motivations. While some considered her a pioneer in tackling racism, others questioned the long-term effects and the potential harm caused by her experiment.
Contemporary Views on the Effectiveness of Sensitivity Training
The use of sensitivity training programs, similar to Jane Elliott's approach, persists today, particularly in corporate and educational settings. Such programs aim to address biases and foster inclusivity. However, there is skepticism about their effectiveness in changing deep-rooted attitudes and behaviors. Research suggests that brief training programs may have limited impact and may not lead to substantial, long-term changes on their own. While the intention to combat discrimination is commendable, the effectiveness of these trainings in changing attitudes and promoting lasting change remains a topic of debate.
Conclusion
Jane Elliott's experiment in Riceville brought attention to the issue of racism in America. Though well-intentioned, the experiment faced criticism for being punitive and lacking empathy. Elliott's methods attracted both support and skepticism, with some seeing her as an advocate and others questioning her motives. The experiment ignited conversations around racism, but the long-term impact on the participants and the effectiveness of sensitivity training in general remain subjects of ongoing debate.
The Need for Bottom-Up Journalism
Journalism as we know it is changing, and the traditional top-down approach of covering stories from the perspective of politicians and big institutions is no longer effective. There is a need for bottom-up journalism that focuses on stories and perspectives of everyday people. This could involve listening to the experiences and concerns of individuals in local communities and highlighting their stories to create a more diverse and comprehensive news landscape.
The Decline of Local Newspapers
The model of American journalism is in decline, especially for local newspapers. Monolithic chains like Gannett prioritize profits over local community coverage and do not truly understand or care about the communities they serve. Democracy relies on journalism to hold officials accountable, but without strong local journalism, there is a lack of meaningful reporting and investigation. There are some efforts by nonprofit organizations to fill this gap, but the future of local journalism remains uncertain.
The Evolution of Media and the Broken Financial Model
The media landscape is rapidly changing due to the shift towards digital platforms and the decline of traditional newspapers. News consumption has become more visual and focused on online content. The current financial model of journalism, based on advertising revenue and subscriptions, is struggling to adapt. Readers expect news for free and are not willing to pay for quality journalism. While nonprofit models and subscription-based systems may offer some alternatives, the transformation of journalism is still a challenging conundrum to overcome.
This conversation explores the never-before-told true story of Jane Elliott and the “Blue-Eyes, Brown-Eyes Experiment” she made world-famous, using eye color to simulate racism.
Shermer and Bloom discuss: Jane Elliott and how she came to conduct her famous experiment • reactions to it (in the classroom, locally, nationally, internationally) • whether the “experiment” was really more of a demonstration • public interest, from Johnny Carson to Oprah Winfrey • the questionable ethics of the experiment • what it reveals about tribalism, racism, obedience to authority, role playing, social proof • whether the experiment reveals hidden racist attitudes or creates them in children • Does it indicate bad apples or bad barrels? • race sensitivity training programs, then and now (and why they don’t really work) • what drives moral progress • the future of journalism.
Stephen Bloom is a professor of journalism at the University of Iowa. He is the author of Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes: A Cautionary Tale of Race and Brutality (University of California Press, 2021); The Audacity of Inez Burns: Dreams, Desire, Treachery & Ruin in the City of Gold (Regan Arts, 2018); Tears of Mermaids: The Secret Story of Pearls (St. Martin’s Press, 2011); The Oxford Project [with photographer Peter Feldstein] (Welcome Books, 2010); Inside the Writer’s Mind (Wiley, 2002); and Postville: A Clash of Cultures in Heartland America (Harcourt, 2000). He has worked for the Los Angeles Times, Dallas Morning News, San Jose Mercury News, Sacramento Bee, Latin America Daily Post, and Field News Service. He especially likes writing about every man/woman: the barista, bartender, baker, butcher, barber — or murderer-turned-prison employee.
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