Psychological Exercise (07:10)

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Hear a portion of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Jane Elliott questions a group about the treatment of African Americans. She addresses participants as they sign in and divides them into two groups; a man initially refuses to comply with directions. (Credits)

Exercise Parameters and Power Reinforcement (11:09)

Elliott describes the purpose of the blue eye/brown eye exercise. She assigns negative traits to the blue-eyed group waiting in the holding room, instructs the brown-eyed group on behavior, and introduces the Dove Counterbalance Intelligence Test.

Exercise Origins and Instructions (09:55)

Elliott discusses Nazi behavior, developing the blue eye/brown eye exercise for third grade students, and community backlash. While blue-eyed participants wait in the holding room, Elliot instructs the brown-eyed group on how to behave.

Blue Eye/Brown Eye Exercise (14:57)

Follow along as Elliott leads the exercise. She gives orders and criticism, forcing the blue-eyed group to live down to expectations; she chastises them for submitting to tyranny.

Riceville, Iowa (03:49)

Elliott reflects on the community's pride in colorful maple trees, attitude towards people of color, and reaction to her blue eye/brown eye exercise; her parents and children faced backlash.

Blue Eye/Brown Eye Exercise: Submission (12:38)

Elliott reminds brown-eyed participants that they have no power and recalls a previous exercise where one woman tried to rally a protest. She criticizes participant behavior and questions previous discrimination experiences.

Psychological Impact (06:34)

Elliott discusses photographs of students who participated in the blue eye/brown eye exercise featured in "The Eye of the Storm" and their drawings. As an adult, a participant reflects on her experience.

Blue Eye/Brown Eye Exercise: Stress (10:09)

Elliott critiques the notes taken by brown-eyed participants and asks what they consider stressful; African American participants describe their stress. Elliott emphasizes attitudes and behaviors.

"The Eye of the Storm" (06:14)

Elliott reunites with students who participated in the blue eye/brown eye exercise; see clips from the film. Elliott describes adult reactions to her work, including the response of a Jewish woman.

Exercise Reflections (07:14)

Participants share their feelings and perspectives about the blue eye/brown eye exercise. Elliott advises women to "get over cute" and discusses cooperating with oppression. Hear a portion of "I Have a Dream."

Credits: Blue Eyed (01:13)

Credits: Blue Eyed