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“The Angry Eye”

Kylie Wetzel

Kylie Wetzel

College of Education, Grand Canyon University

Social Justice for Educators: EDU-330

Professor Hathaway

July 17, 2022

What is "The Angry Eye"

The angry eye is a video that depicts a woman working to make a change in the world when it comes to racism. The instructor in the video, Jane Elliot, challenges individuals about their own beliefs. Jane pushes people outside of their comfort zone and provides the unique experience for people, particularly privileged white people, to see what life is like for African Americans, Indians, and others with dark skin. Jane Elliot started this experiment in a third-grade classroom and through group discussions with the student it was agreed to single out individuals based on eye color. This method left such a profound effect that it became a workshop that Jane taught in other locations even Australia.

Jane starts the workshop by identifying individuals with blue eyes and treating them poorly and with little respect while treating individuals with brown eyes in the opposite manner. Initially the students are separated in two different locations where the group of brown eyed individuals are filled on how the demonstration is going to work. The blue-eyed group was invited back into the room where they were treated in a way that embarrassed or upset many of them.

Creating this difference within the classroom Jane Elliot was able to provide a brief glimpse into the lives of people affected by racism daily. A big take away from this lesson was the freedom of choice white people have most other races do not. White people can choose to leave situations or choose to demand respect where people of color are not afforded the same privilege.

The hope for this continued exercise and workshop is to make a difference in the way people treat each other and to eventually put a stop to racism.

Areas to apply lessons from "The Angry Eye"

Stronger Relationships

Cultural

Competence

How to apply this in the classroom?

Relevant Educational Experiences

Cultural Competence

The lessons from “The Angry Eye” can help individuals to not only recognize that they have lived of a privilege but can also help to provide a small insight to what people that are treated differently or poorly experience. While the lessons may seem to be presented in an aggressive or mean manner, they are intended to teach the harsh reality that many people of color face on a regular basis. When someone truly tries to be empathetic and place themselves in someone else’s shoes or view point they can begin to appreciate other cultures or beliefs. When teachers are exposed to this information it can help them to break down those stigmas in the classroom as well as learn ways to interact with others in a respectful way. Teachers may have the best intentions but by saying things like “I don’t see color” they may inadvertently be sending a message that they do not see you as an individual but that you only see someone in the way you want them to be or even in a way that makes you feel comfortable (Films Media Group, 2001).

Stronger Relationships

“The Angry Eye” demonstrates the privilege that white people have in society today and that this privilege can sometimes be unrealized. When a teacher can identify these privileges and use this information to question any existing biases, they can begin to break down any barriers they may have from becoming culturally competent. When a teacher is culturally competent, they are comfortable with those that are different from them and they are also actively working to identify areas that need change and then putting into place action plans (Cross et al, 2013). A classroom that includes everyone and provides all students the tools that they need to be successful is a classroom that fosters strong relationships amongst the students and between the students and teacher. Jane Elliot shares at the end of the presentation that experiences allow the individual to not only see yourself in a different way but to also interact with others differently (Film Media Group, 2001). These changes will not happen immediately but through conscious effort relationships can be strengthened in and out of the classroom.

Relevant Educational Experiences

After viewing ‘The Angry Eye’ a teacher would be able to identify ways to introduce relevant educational experiences in the classroom. The instructor, Jane Elliot, separates people based on eye color, a trait that students have no control over and then treats students with blue eyes poorly and like they are not intelligent (Film Media Group, 2001). While the lessons may seem harsh it is a brazen reminder that there are people all over the country that are treated poorly based on physical traits, cultures, or beliefs that they have no control over. Educators could borrow from the eye color separation technique and find ways to segregate their class and let one group have extra fun time while the other group must sit quietly and watch. Students will immediately identify that this is not fair and from there the teacher can share age-appropriate material on cultural differences and ways they can all increase their cultural competence.

What does that mean?

During "The Evil Eye" there are a few words used that are important to define to ensure understanding.

Privilege

A reward or perk that is given to one person or group. Privileges can be something simple like bonus points on a test to something more impactful like extra help from the teacher for every test because the teacher liked the family. Privileges can be used as a reward that is earned when all students have an equal opportunity to obtain it, but privileges should not be used in the classroom to favor one student or group of students. Privileges are also not to be confused with rights or the things that every single individual is given without the need to earn it.

Oppression

Oppression

Oppression is subduing another person or group. Working to keep another group or person from reaching their full potential the oppressor can hold the power in the dynamic. Oppression can be done in a cruel obvious way or quietly without drawing much attention.

Difference

Differences are typically the first thing you notice about someone that are unlike yourself (The Film Group, 2001). When meeting someone or passing someone on the street it is easy to notice different hair, weight, style, gender, skin color, or other visual things that can be easily noticed. Differences are also the things that make us different on a deeper or internal level. Our beliefs, sexual orientation, sexual preferences, disabilities, diseases, gender, opinions, or more than can be reasonably listed. Internal and external differences are important and what makes people unique, but these differences can also be used to grant some people or groups special privileges or disadvantages.

Difference

Power

Power

Power has multiple meanings; it can mean physical strength, or it can mean control or influence. For “The Angry Eye” power takes the form of control or influence. How can one group control another group even without physical prowess. By ensuring that the group that needs to be controlled is prevented from being too successful through laws, programs that are intended to keep individuals in places that are dangerous like poor housing projects, or inadequate education. Power is not always a negative, times where power is earned through respect can be meaningful and help to align people to achieve a common interest.

How can a teacher promote diversity while keeping power in the classroom?

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/how-can-i-help-to-promote-diversity-without-relinquishing-any-of-my-power

E

When considering promoting diversity within the classroom a teacher could be concerned about losing power or control of the classroom. If students begin to discuss differences and disagree or being to argue a teacher would need to be able to regain control of the classroom and maintain the established classroom climate. By recognizing that some individuals have privileges and then choosing to act and make changes teachers can share how to become more culturally competent, when students become more culturally competent, they can begin to see the differences and seek to understand and value those differences.

Promoting Community at School

https://www.thoughtco.com/promoting-school-support-throughout-community-3194438

Creating a more inclusive and accepting classroom is important to setting the tone for the school year and allowing students to feel safe and ready to learn. Beyond an inclusive classroom the next step is working to create an inclusive school environment. This can help to build better relationships among all students, teachers, administration, support staff, parents, and the community.

Revitalizing Discipline

https://www.weareteachers.com/restorative-justice/

E

Some schools use a discipline program that further removes students from success. If students make a mistake they are often punished with missing valuable instruction time. When students are not set up for success they will continue to fall behind.

References

References

Cross, T., Coleman, & Pellitteri. (2013). Cultural competence continuum - characteristics. Cultural Competence Continuum - Characteristics . https://www.eri-wi.org/download/conference/2013-conference/20_h_WhyDoesntEveryone_chart.pdf.

Dean, C., Barsotti, B. G., Warner, J., Kronengold, B., Feldman, M., Delaney, E., Wulatin, D., Huber, L., Annett, J., Miller, J. C., Young, J., Berta, J., & Bettermann, J. (2019). How can I help to promote diversity without relinquishing any of my power? McSweeney's Internet Tendency. https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/how-can-i-help-to-promote-diversity-without-relinquishing-any-of-my-power.

Films Media Group. (2001). The angry eye. Films On Demand. https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=96349&xtid=192440.

Meador, D. (2019). 10 strategies to improve community and school relations. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/promoting-school-support-throughout-community-3194438

Staff, W. A. T. (2021). What teachers need to know about restorative justice. We Are Teachers. https://www.weareteachers.com/restorative-justice/.

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